10 best things to do this week
2. Aleksandar Hemon The award-winning Chicago author reads from his fantastic new essay collection, The Book of My Lives. Women and Children First. Wed 7:30pm. Free.
3. Joffrey Ballet: "Othello" So much more likable then the boy king from Game of Thrones, this Joffrey production is nonetheless as powerful and passionate. "Othello" is a perfect vehicle for showcasing the company's dynamo dancers. The contemporary ballet contains jealousy, betrayal, forbidden love and a propulsive score by Oscar winner Elliot B. Goldenthal. Auditorium Theatre. Wed–Fri 7:30pm; Sat 2pm, 7:30pm; Sun 2pm. Through May 5. $31–$152.
4. Ghostface Killah + Adrian Younge's Venice Dawn Wu-Tang's Iron Man has not lost an ounce of his lyrical skill-set, continually spewing poetically formless, detail-dense, quasi-fantasy tails of the urban game. His moody, chopsocky latest, Twelve Reasons to Die, is a collaboration with producer Adrian Younge, who opens the night with his '60s-inspired soul project, Venice Dawn, a cross of Italian soundtracks and French chanson—you know, the stuff of Quentin Tarantino's dreams. Abbey Pub. Fri 26. $20–$25.
5. Jacques Renault + James Curd + Studio Casual Brooklyn groove rider Jacques Renault helms the moving NYC party and record label Let's Play House. Funky Chicagoan and occasional television soundtracker James Curd released the playful "We Just Won't Stop" on DFA. Smart Bar. Fri 10pm. $12, after midnight $15, advance $10, students or with R.S.V.P. $7.
6. Chicago Anarchist Film Fest You might think it antithetical for a bunch of anarchists to organize anything, let alone a film festival, but this is the 13th go-round of the city's anarcho cinema event. The three evenings of shorts, documentaries and animations have been broken up by theme: sabotage, wild cat strikes again and nine lives. After the final screening on Sunday, the fest migrates to Township in Logan Square for (what else?) a punk-rock karaoke wrap party. Meztli Cultural Organization. Fri, Sat 7pm; Sun 4pm. $5–$10 donation.
7. Johnny Marr What took the legendary guitarist 49 years to release his debut solo album, The Messenger? Well, he's been rather busy, initially with the Smiths, of course, and more recently as a gun-for-hire in the Cribs and Modest Mouse. Alone, he has a surprisingly lovely voice and a penchant for sturdy Britpop. Naturally, his gift for arpeggiated chords and melancholic jangle remain. Any Anglophilic '90s nostalgist should drool. Metro. Thu 25. $30.
8. Chicagoland Sexcon The annual sex convention hits the club with porn stars, sex-toy vendors, strippers and much more naughty stuff, plus DJs and booze—all making the usual night of clubbing look quite innocent. As a night out, it's not for those of Victorian disposition. The Castle. Wed 9pm. Advance $25 at Chicagosexcon.com.
9. Improv Nerd Jimmy Carrane kicks off a third season of his local talk show in which he interviews local legends and gets them out of the chair for a short improv set. This season's guests include John Lutz, Edgar Blackmon, Katy Colloton, Beth Melewski and Andy St. Clair. Stage 773. Sun 4pm. $10, students $8.
10. 826CHI Promic-Con Nonprofit writing workshop 826CHI's prom fund-raiser borrows some comic-con steez, encouraging attendees to nerd out with cosplay. The theme should make for some interesting dance-floor combos. School of the Art Institute. Sat 8pm–midnight. $45, couples $75 , advance $40 per person.
5 best nightlife events this week
1. Kaskade
Ultra Records poster child Kaskade makes a triumphant return to his hometown. He's come a long way from his days in Chicago and his time on OM, so don't expect to be massaged by deep-house groovers. Kaskade's major now, so look for a much more banging vibe. Smart Bar. Wed 24. $20.
Colombian-American house titan Morillo is best know for his work in Reel 2 Real. Don't act like you haven't shook it a little bit to his "I Like to Move It." Or at least wanted to kill yourself after hearing it on repeat at Six Flags/in Madagascar trailers. The Mid. Sat 27. $20–$30.
U.K. game-changer Pearson Sound (a.k.a. Ramadanman) fills the room with his progressively techy house-not-house and stripped-down low-end sounds, as widely heard in his high-profile remix of Radiohead's "Morning Mr Magpie." Smart Bar. Thu 25. $5–$15.
4. Jacques Renault + James Curd
Brooklyn groove rider Jacques Renault helms the moving NYC party and record label Let's Play House. Funky Chicagoan and occasional television soundtracker James Curd released the playful "We Just Won't Stop" on DFA. Smart Bar. Fri 26. $7–$15.
5. Roger Taylor
Duran Duran drummer Taylor throws his own birthday bash with his roving party, "Do It in Heels." Spy Bar. Thu 25. $15–$17.
5 concerts to see this week
1. Ghostface Killah + Adrian Younge's Venice Dawn
Wu-Tang's Iron Man has not lost an ounce of his lyrical skill-set, continually spewing poetically formless, detail-dense, quasi-fantasy tails of the urban game. His moody, chopsocky latest, Twelve Reasons to Die, is a collaboration with producer Adrian Younge, who opens the night with his '60s-inspired soul project, Venice Dawn, a cross of Italian soundtracks and French chanson—you know, the stuff of Quentin Tarantino's dreams. Abbey Pub. Fri 26. $20–$25.
2. Johnny Marr
What took the legendary guitarist 49 years to release his debut solo album, The Messenger? Well, he's been rather busy, initially with the Smiths, of course, and more recently as a gun-for-hire in the Cribs and Modest Mouse. Alone, he has a surprisingly lovely voice and a penchant for sturdy Britpop. Naturally, his gift for arpeggiated chords and melancholic jangle remain. Any Anglophilic '90s nostalgist should drool. Metro. Thu 25. $30.
Liverpool's lover of all things cult '60s, Clinic called its latest album Free Reign, and given its progress and evolution over the past 15 years, the description is appropriate, wavering between so many different art-rock poles the movement is practically dizzying. Lovely Canadian shoegazer duo No Joy premieres cuts from its sophomore album, Way to Pleasure. Lincoln Hall. Wed 24. $15.
To suggest that Eleventh Dream Day could have been a contender would be to discount the fact that it was among the greatest bands ever produced by this city. The group’s last album for a major label, El Moodio, was a victim of bad timing as much as anything else. Released in 1993, it should have been the record that rocketed the group to stardom, or at least elevated it to the same level of popularity enjoyed by EDD’s peer Yo La Tengo. Now the group looks to set things right, revisiting the album in full. Hideout. Tue 23. $5.
Much about Bleached feels been-there-done-that: It's a guitar/drum duo, crafting retro garage rock, consisting of blond sisters. Thus, the L.A. act calls to mind Frankie Rose, Vivian Girls, the Kills, et al. But it's debut, Ride Your Heart, is a blast. Saying its punky, '50s-ish pop is going out of style is like declaring the death of blue jeans. NYC's like-minded Hunters worked SXSW hard this year, fueled by the captivating energy of front-woman Isabel Almeida. Subterranean. Sat 27. $10.
5 things to do today: Monday, April 22
KRS-One + Mykal Rose + Sister Carol There's erratic and then there's KRS-One: hip-hop royalty whose reputation has been undercut by lackluster releases and unpredictable behavior. But did we mention he's still hip-hop royalty? Support comes from the great Mykal Rose of Black Uhuru and fellow Jamaican music icon Sister Carol. The Shrine. 8pm. $28.50, VIP $40–$425.
COMEDY
The Armando Diaz Experience In this culty iO staple, a person starts the show with a monologue inspired by an audience suggestion, then the city's top improvisers create scenes around it. Simply put, this is iO doing what it does best. iO Del Close Theater. 8:30pm. $12.
THEATER
That's Weird, Grandma Want to look cool to your favorite pipsqueak (and adult friends, too)? Introduce them to Barrel of Monkeys’ joyously long-running public show. The troupe conducts writing workshops with CPS grade school students by day, then transforms the kids’ stories into hilarious or heartfelt skits and songs, performed with abandon by a spirited ensemble. Neo-Futurarium. 8pm. $10, kids $5.
ART & DESIGN
"Bob Snyder: Orniphonia 2." Experimental Sound Studio continues its Florasonic series with Snyder's four-channel audio installation, in which electronic circuits generate ever-changing sounds that mimic bird calls. Lincoln Park Conservatory. 9am–5pm. Free.
FILM
Purple Rain. Dir. Albert Magnoli. 1984. 111mins. "Prince: the story. The Struggle. The movie" boasts a trailer for the pop star's self-styled feature debut. The struggle, in this case, is "The Kid's" attempt to sort out his personal life and be crowned king of a Minneapolis nightclub. Logan Theatre. 11:45pm. $7.
5 things to do today: Sunday, April 21
MUSIC
The Warlocks + Secret Colours + Sisters of Your Sunshine Vapor + The Holydrug Couple. L.A.'s Warlocks headline a night of neo-psych, including Chicago's own entry, Secret Colours, plus Detroit's Sisters of Your Sunshine Vapor and the Holydrug Couple, who come all the way from Chile. Subterranean. 9pm. 17 and older. $10.
BOOKS
Meg Wolitzer reads from her new, much-buzzed-about novel, The Interestings, about a group of lifelong friends whose lives diverge and intersect in striking ways. Women and Children First. 4.30pm. Free.
EATING & DRINKING
Earth Day, bitches. This holiday gets real at Sandwich Me In, which hosts events all day long. Learn how to make bread, how to garden, how to can, how to sustainably raise hogs (we told you it was going to get real!) and more. 3037 N Clark St (773-250-0286). 11am–8pm. Free.
FILM
CIMMfest: The Source Family. The festival closes with another “band” championed by Drag City, Ya Ho Wa 13, the psych-rock arm of the health food restaurant/commune/cult known as the Source Family in the early ’70s. In advance of its theatrical run in June, the mind-blowing documentary The Source Family premieres here. Constellation. 7pm. $15.
THEATER
Black Playwrights' Festival. Black Ensemble Theater's 8th annual festival ends tonight. It features new works by playwrights including Jill Ross, Jarrin Davis, Katrina Miller and more. See blackensemble.org for the full schedule. Black Ensemble Theater. 7:30pm. $15.
5 things to do today: Saturday, April 20
SHOPPING & STYLE
Happy Record Store Day! Here are four stores putting a fresh spin on the annual event.
COMEDY
Bring your passport to Let Them Eat Chaos. In the Second City's 101st Mainstage revue, an ensemble consisting of veteran performers Edgar Blackmon, Holly Laurent, Katie Rich and Steve Waltien and Mainstage newcomers Ross Bryant and Tawny Newsome leaves Chicago behind in favor of a space- and time-bending revue that loops in Vienna circa 1819, the opening of the Panama Canal, the distant future and more. Second City. 8pm, 11pm. $23–$28.
FILM
The Lady from Shanghai Dir. Orson Welles. 1947. 87mins. Welles does noir, fantastically. The plot, involving a boat ride and a murder scheme, is just an excuse for the actor-director to wrap his tongue around some flavorful tough talk and trade steamy stares with then-wife Rita Hayworth. Oh, and stage one hell of a climax: the oft-referenced shootout in a house of mirrors. Music Box. 11:30am. $9.25, first show $8.25.
MUSIC
For four albums now, Montreal's majestic Besnard Lakes have flown just under the radar. In an ideal world, the new Until in Excess, Imperceptible UFO would change that. Up first is the drone-inclined art-pop of fellow Montreal act Suuns. Schubas. 10pm. $17.
NIGHTLIFE
Bonobo (DJ set). Simon Green's productions transcend stereotypical categorization. Soulful, melodic, fully realized songs—that flirt with jazz, world rhythms and downright stoner beats—distinguish his work from the background wallpaper produced by so many who share his genre tags. If you can't swing tickets to the live gig, never fear, in the DJ format Bonobo excels at creating that transformative state that lets chill beats, jazz-fusion excursions and lush instrumental hip-hop blend seamlessly. Gun Love and Steve Gerard spin, too. Primary. 10pm. $20, discounts in advance at clubtix.com.
Alicia Keys at United Center | Concert photos and review
At the NBA All-Star Game this past February, Alicia Keys delivered a mess of a halftime show in which she didn't sound the least bit on her game. "More like Alicia *Off* Keys," one viewer tweeted. (Swisssh!)
So my state of mind going into her show last night at the United Center was one of mild skepticism. It was dubbed the "Set the World on Fire Tour," but given her recent inconsistency as a live performer, would the night go down in flames?
My fears were extinguished, as the Manhattan native showed impressive vocal command and range—whether belting out a big number (e.g., "Empire State of Mind") or delivering a breathy ballad (e.g., "Brand New Me"). And she never strayed noticeably from the pitch.
"Her voice is so soothing," the middle-aged woman behind me said wistfully. "I could listen to it all day."
I was thinking the same thing, as Keys reached into the upper registers of her smoky contralto to deliver the wispy "Like I'll Never See You Again" on a stage bathed in blue light, and when she nailed the melisma-laden "Fallin'," backed by a powerful trio of backup singers.
"Sing it, girl," Ms. She's So Soothing shouted.
But throughout the 105-minute show I couldn't escape the thought that portions of her performance were too languid, not so much setting the room on fire (to overuse the metaphor) as lulling us to sleep. The popular title track from Girl on Fire, and jazzier R&B numbers such as "Listen to Your Heart," might be better classified as Rhythm & Snooze.
That's not to say Keys needs to Beyonc-ify her live act and incorporate complicated choreography, tons of costume changes and other bells and whistles. On this tour, she sticks to the same outfit—a plunging, sparkling red top and tight black pants—until the encore (when she changes into a sparkling red dress). And she doesn't so much dance as kind of slink stiffly around the stage. I just wish Keys stuck to what she does best: singing soulful piano ballads—raw, expressive, just her and a grand piano. Nowhere was that more clear last night than "If I Ain't Got You," from 2003's The Diary of Alicia Keys, which remains as gorgeous as ever.
Marnie Stern at Empty Bottle | Concert review
"All I've got is time," Marnie Stern told the crowd at the Empty Bottle on Wednesday night, repeating a line from her bouyant, slightly frantic anthem "Hell Yes" (off her latest effort for Kill Rock Stars, Chronicles of Marnia). "It's really true. I haven't had sex in a thousand years."
The New York–based singer/songwriter/guitarist—whose stage banter is made all the more great due to her high-pitched Coffee-Talk-with-Linda-Richman accent—had a lot to say about her dissatisfying sex life.
Concert photos | Fleetwood Mac at United Center
Last weekend, the Mac attacked the United Center. Buckingham, Nicks, Fleetwood and McVie (John, that is; Christine hasn't toured with the group in ages) speed-plucked and harmonized through their back catalog of California radio gold. They're sporting a couple of new tunes, too.
In case you missed it: Some of our favorite local musicians selected their favorite Fleetwood Mac songs for us. Check out the deep cuts dug by Kelly Hogan, John Stirratt of Wilco and more. Hogan never fails to deliver a killer anecdote. Love her.
5 things to do today: Friday, April 19
Zabriskie Point Dir. Michelangelo Antonioni. 1970. 110mins. Having diagnosed the sick soul of Europe, Antonioni travels to America. As if discovering a new planet, he gazes on endless highways, crass commercialism, Death Valley lovemaking and comfy consumer lifestyles (the latter memorably exploded in the finale). Dismissed by many on initial release, Zabriskie Point today epitomizes Antonioni's formal mastery. Gene Siskel Film Center. 6pm. $11, students $7, members $6, School of the Art Institute students and faculty $4.
COMEDY
NBC 5 Chicago’s Mary Ann Ahern relays tales of workplace shenanigans, then a Second City improv team reenacts them in Newsprov for the Arts. All proceeds benefit Chicago Lights, a nonprofit org that works with low-income families. Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E Chestnut St (chicagolights.eventbrite.com). 8pm. $20, advance $15.
BOOKS
Local publisher Curbside Splendor launches a new series of readings, discussion and live music at Billy Corgan's Highland Park tea house. James Tadd Adcox, Okla Elliott and Kathleen Rooney read work on the theme of "origins" and Jacob S. Knabb provides live music. Madame ZuZu's. 8pm. Free.
COMEDY
Doughy, pale, lovable oaf Jim Gaffigan has moved on from Hot Pockets to enriched wheat flour for his Wonder Bread Tour. You know the drill: silly voices, the sweatpants lifestyle, junk food. Chicago Theatre. 7, 9:30pm. $39.75–$49.75.
DANCE
"In here, we are whole." As an extension of the monthly works-in-progress series, "Fraction," four emerging Chicago choreographers—Francesca Bourgault, Ashley Deran, Lauren Warnecke and Jessie Young—present seven distinctive pieces. Links Hall at Constellation. 8pm. Donation $10–$20.
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