Recommended May Cultural Events
Events Page Spotlight
The Farewell Show: Genital Hercules invade Quenchers
Check out Chicago Prog rockers Genital Hercules as they rock out Quenchers for their farewell performance.
Date: Wednesday, June 23rd
Time: 9:30 P.M
Location: Quenchers
Street: Fullerton and Western
Comedy: The 13th Annual Chicago Improv Festival on April-19-25, 2010
Mark your calendars...the 13th annual Chicago Improv Festival is scheduled to take place April 19-25, 2010. This year’s festival takes place at many venues around the city and suburbs. So wherever you are you’re bound to run into some funny. In addition to the list of improv troupes performing, there are also some special events going on in connection with the festival. The most high profile of these events is the lifetime achievement awards given to those with hefty resumes. This year’s lifetime achievement awards are going to Harold Ramis, Dick Schaal, and posthumously to Severn Darden. The awards will be given on Wednesday, April 21 at the Second City ETC. Also, CIF will present the Improviser and Ensemble of the Year awards to Susan Messing and Improvised Shakespeare Co. respectively. Complete event and ticket information will be announced soon.
This year’s festival consists of 65 acts and ensembles (as well as 5 apprentice teams) from 25 cities and 8 countries. 38 of the 65 acts are from the Chicago area. For a complete list of acts, click here. www.chicagoimprovfestival.org/web/cif_ensembles.php
For a schedule of performances, click here. www.chicagoimprovfestival.org/web/cif_shows.php
Update by Jamie Black, shutter soul comedy curator/03.13.10
Music and Civic Events
Save the Laptops
Cage and Aquarium hosts their annual Save the Laptops event at the Globe Pub. The proceeds of this event fund technology grants written by Chicago area teachers (www.donorschoose.org). There will be live music from Twan Claypool, Acoustic Sideshow, Stolie, Taras and Mike along with DJ sets by DJ Limbs, DJ Demchuk, Vanessa Beck, DJ CampionE. Help support this important event while listening to some great music !
Where: The Globe Pub Location: 1934 W Irving Park Rd
When: Friday, March 12th @ 7:30 pm until 2:00 am
Art
To celebrate the long-awaited and much appreciated release of American Modernism at the Art Institute of Chicago: From the start of the World War I to 1955, a the exhibit presents a comprehensive showcase of the Art Institute’s expansive permanent collection of American art, the Department of Prints and Drawings has organized this companion exhibition. Approximately 140 prints, drawings, collages, and watercolors from the permanent collection offer the opportunity to contemplate on what constituted “modern” at various moments during the first half of the 20th century.
The exhibit works from great American modern artists Edward Hopper, Georgia 'Okeeffe (Including White Shell with Red, 1938), Grant Woods, and Water Ellison. The exhibit also highlights the American creative response to European counterparts while also highlighting European born artists, such as Arshile Gorky and Mexican artists, such as Diego Rivera who spent a great deal of time in the states during this period.
Where: Art Institute of Chicago
Dates: January 30th- April 4th 2010
Recommended February, 2010 Cultural
Events Page Spotlight
Music
Meryn Daly, one of Shutter Soul's favorite friends (yes, we're biased) recommends seeing The Punch Brothers at the Old Town School of Folk Music. According to Meryn, "They're doing two shows, one at 5 and one at 8 . They play a mean, well, everything but there's a BANJO." You had us at banjo.
Punch Brothers Featuring Chris Thile
When: Friday, February 26th
Cost: $22 General Public/$20 Old Town School Members/$18 Seniors and Kids
Other Top Music Picks:
Tom Donoghue at The Grill
Like heartfelt and witty alt country? Well, we have a must see for you. Songwriter/musician Tom Donoghue brings his unique brand of acoustic guitar, vocals, and whimsical lyrics to the Grille in Highweod. Gather your friends for a great night of music and food at The Grill.
Here is the Skinny:
Date: Friday, February 26th, 7:30pm
Website: http://www.thegrillhighwood.com
Tracing the Civil Rights Movement
As part of February's African American history month. shutter soul recommends checking out he DuSable Museum of African America History which hosts a number of on-going and short term exhibits highlighting the sacrifices and accomplishments of the men and women of the civil rights movement. One noteworthy exhibit that is on-going at the museum is the Tracing the Civil Rights Movement 1848 to 1968.
This comprehensive exhibit not only traces the ground breaking court cases such as the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education, Topeka Kansas effectively ending racial segregation in public schools, but the exhibit goes back further in time to the pre-civil war period. From Dr. Martin Luther King's "I have a Dream Speech" to the period after his tragic assassination, all of the key milestones are covered in the modern civil rights movement.
Primarily developed from artifacts within its permanent collection, The DuSable Museum of African American History takes a look into the history of the civil rights movement spanning a 120 year period. Visitors will see numerous images of black life in America through historic photographs, objects including original civil rights protest placards and ephemera, Jim Crow era artifacts, objects of Massive Resistance, and period works of art.
Where: DuSable Museum of African American History Museum (740 East 56th Place)
When: On-Going
Special Event at the Museum:
Family Open House
Date: Saturday, February 6th, 2010
Cost: $5
Scoop: The great exhibit “Freedom’s Sisters” come to life. Acclaimed actress Cynthia Maddox and cast portray the thrilling lives of several ‘Freedom Sisters of Our Time.’ Then watch the film, “Color Me Dark” which recognizes the bravery of a young Black girl in the 1930’s who made a courageous move to Chicago during the Great Black Migration.
Also check out Freedom's Sister's and The Soul of Bronzeville: The Regal, Club Delisa, and the Blues
Recommended January, 2010 Cultural Events
Events Page Spotlight
Update provided by Comedy Curator Jamie Black
January 6th, 2010
Wanna see a whole lotta funny? You’re in luck! The 2010 Chicago SketchFest opens Thursday January 7 at Theatre Building Chicago. 8pm is when the laughter begins and runs all weekend long as well as the following weekend. The guys at Lukaba productions have managed to pack in 4 weeks worth of comedy into just 2 weekends.
Billed at the largest sketch comedy festival in the United States, they receive applications from all over the US and Canada and sometimes the world, but only the best sketch comedy groups make it into this festival of funny. In 2005 they went International and hosted groups from Toronto and Vancouver. In 2008, they reached even further into the world as they hosted a group from Manchester, England. Most of the groups are from Chicago as it is the sketch comedy capital of the world. The festival features more than 800 performers, representing over 100 groups and performing over 120 shows over the 2 weekends.
It’s a weekend that you won’t want to miss and there are specifically some groups that you should definitely check out.
Saturday January 9 Saturday January 16
Salsation 6pm North Theatre 4 Days Late 6pm North Theatre
GayCo 7pm South Theatre BriTANick 11pm South Theatre
Cupid Players 8pm West Theatre Summer of Tears 10pm West
Tim and Micah Project 11pm South Theatre
Sunday January 10 Sunday January 17
OLD 4pm West Theatre Best Church of God 1pm North Theatre
Smart Corky 7pm North Theatre SOUL FOOLS 7pm South Theatre
ESL Players 5:30pm South Theatre Just The Tip 4pm West Theatre
Is Chicago's blistery cold January weather giving you the blues? Well, I have the perfect remedy. January is a great month for Chicago blues. Check out the 20th annual Chicago Winter Blues Tour on Saturday, January 16th. The Chicago Blues Tour is a terrific way to sample some of the best live Chicago blues bands in classic blues clubs/institutions throughout the city, particularly on the South and West sides. The tour features eightof Chicago’s famous lounges featuring 10 live blues bands and many special guests all night long, on Sat., Jan. 16th. Tickets are $45, with various earlybird, group, and advance discounts available via http://www.chicagobluestour.com. Highlights include Vance Kelly and The Backstreet Blues Band at the Checkerboard Lounge and Shorty Mack and The Magnificent Blues Band at Lee's Unleaded Blues.
Shuttle buses run between the participating venues, which feature Chicago’s most cherished winter gift...the blues.
Ticket Information:
Tickets include all transportation and admission charges for a nightlong blues adventure, with 11 live blues bands performing all night long. Buses depart from Lizzie McNeill’s, and then begin shuttling between clubs until 1:30 a.m. PLEASE ARRIVE 40 MINUTES PRIOR TO DEPARTURE TIME FOR CHECK-IN.
For further information, visit http://www.chicagobluestour.com or call the toll-free BluesLine at 866-LIVEBLUES (866-548-3258). Maps, schedules, and an FAQ are also updated frequently at the website.
Recommended December, 2009 Cultural Events
Events Page Spotlight
Living Modern Chicago
Living Modern Chicago
The Scoop: With the world on brink of economic and political disaster, László Moholy-Nagy and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe carried Bauhaus principles from Germany to Chicago in the late 1930s. This exhibition features projects by artists and architects, ranging in age from their 20s to 80s, who today continue a legacy of interdisciplinary innovation for better living, while exploring the central role of experiential education in the modern vision.
When: Through January 9th
Where: Sullivan Galleries, School of Art Institute of Chicago
Address: 33 S. State, 7th Floor
Chicago, Illinois
Whining in the Windy City
The Scoop: Former Second City Alum Jackie Hoffman, Grandma in the Broadway bound musical Addams Family, takes to the Royal George Cabaret on her off nights for a no holds barred musical and comedic rant on show business, her children, and the holidays. Hilarious and not for the easily offended.
When: Monday Nights at 7:30 PM, Through December 21st
Cost: $25
Where: Royal George Cabaret
Address: 1641 N. Halsted
The Second City 50th Anniversary Weekend
The Scoop: One of the hottest and most anticipated comedic events for 2009. To help celebrate Second City's 50th Anniversary, former alums including Harold Ramis, Martin Short, Eugene Levy, and Catherine O'Hara get back to their SC roots and take the stage. See website for details on panels, screenings, and additional performances featuring Second City Alum.
When: December 11th-December 13th
Cost: $25-$750
Where: The Second City
Address: 1616 N. Wells
Stud's Terkel's Not Working
The Scoop: A comedic must see edition that is rich in Chicago based material. As a comedic homage to the late Stud's Turkel, author and activist, Second City squares it's comedic eye on Chicagoans, bringing Chicago politics, hypocrisy, and civic pride to the spotlight.
When: On going throughout December (Thursday @ 8 p.m, Friday @ 8 p.m and 11 p.m, Sunday@ 7 p.m)
Cost: $20-$25
Where: The Second City e.t.c stage
Address: 1616 N. Wells
TJ and Dave
The Scoop: TJ and Dave have long been a staple at IO. Every show is improvised and different, providing comedic insight on human nature. If you have never seen long form comedy, this is a good place to start. The New York Times described the comedic super duo by writing,"The comics TJ Jagodowski and Dave Pasquesi miraculously improvise a one-hour play at every performance. This is an impressive feat of mental athletics, but the results are also observant, complex and frequently enormously funny."
When: Wednesday Nights @ 11:00 PM
Cost: $5
Where: Improv Olympic at the Cabaret Theater
Address: 3541 N. Clark St./Chicago, Illinois
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
The Scoop: The CSO pairs up up with the visual brilliance of the Red Moon Theater for Tchaikosky's Swan Lake-with shadow puppets.
When: December 17, 19 at 8 PM; December 18 at 1:30
Cost: $18-$199
Where: Symphony Center
Address: 220 S. Michigan/Chicago, Illinois
Contact and Ticket Information: cso.org
Janacek's "Katya Kabanova"
The Scoop: Opera masterpiece dealing with the repression of a provincial Russian town and the struggle of Katya, torn by an ineffectual husband and the happiness of a new lover. Beautiful music and very personal storyline.
When: Opens at 2 p.m on December 6th and continues through December 12th
Cost: $33-$207
Where: Civic Opera House
Address: 20 N. Wacker Drive/Chicago, Illinois
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago: Winter Series
The Scoop: A collection of great dance performance including, Alejandro Cerrudo's Off Screen, Tabula Rasa by Ohad Naharin, and Walking Mad by Johan Inger
When: December 3-6 (see site for start times)
Where: Harris Theatre in Millenium Park
Address: 205 E. Randolph/Chicago, Illinois
Dance Chicago: Duke It Out: Ellington vs. Tchaikovsky
The Scoop: This Nutcracker 'SWEET' features Dance Chicago and a special guest soloist from the Moscow Ballet in a side by side comparison of the Classical and Jazz versions of this popular holiday favorite.
Cost: Free!
When: December 12th at 10 am
Where: Music Institute of Chicago in Evanston/Nicholas Concert Hall
Address: 1490 Chicago Ave./Evanston. Ilinois
Joffrey Ballet's The Nutcracker
The Scoop: Joffrey Ballet's spirited, all American version brought to life with seamless, graceful dancing.
When: December 11-27
Where: Auditorium Theatre
Address: 50 E. Congress/Chicago, Illinois
American Buffalo
The Scoop: In a cluttered, run down Chicago Junk shop three small time crooks plot to steal a valuable coin collection. Frustration and paranoia ensue after the heist unravels. Ensemble member directs this groundbreaking American play by Chicago native playwright David Mamet.
When: Previews thru December 12th, Show runs through February 7th, 2010
Cost: Preview $20-$53/Regular Run: $20-$77
Where: Steppenwolf Theatre
Address: 1650 N. Halsted
Icarus
The Scoop: Written and directed by David Catlin, Icarus explores a father's need to have his child succeed, the psychological desire totake to the air, and the dizzying despair of falling. The set design is stunning.
When: Previews December 9-13
Cost: All tickets $18-$62
Where: Lookingglass Theatre at Water Tower Water Works
Address: 821 N. Michigan
Chicago Filmmakers' Opening Screenings
The Scoop: Great forum to watch local filmmakers screen their work. The Chicago Filmmakers enable the next Stanley Kubrik to submit their work, maximum length per person is 20 minutes. Accepted formats: 16mm, Beta SP, Mini DV, DVD and VHS.
When: December 5th at 7:00 p.m
How Much: Free!
Where: Chicago Filmmakers
Address: 5243 N. Clark/Chicago, Illinois
Found Footage Festival
The Scoop: "A celebration of odd and hilarious found videos" is the slogan for this hilarious show hosted and narrated by comedians Joe Pickett and Nick Prueher. In 1991 they found a video entitled, Inside and Outside Custodial Duties, which was filmed inside a McDonald’s break room, and launched their mission to find similarly intriguing videos. They have since been collecting them from dumpsters and garage sales. This now large collection is comprised of outrageous, stupid, strange and outlandish videos that are sure to delight the audience.
Where: Lakeshore Theater
Cost: $12
Address: 3175 N. Broadway/Chicago, Illinois
Music Box Holiday Sing Alongs
The Scoop: Santa leads carols from his pipe organ perch prior to screenings of White Christmas and It's a Wonderful Life (see website for times)
When: December 18-24
Cost: $10 per film, $15 double feature
Where: Music Box Theatre
Address: 3733 N. Southport
Andrew Bird
The Scoop: Multi-instrumentalist Chicago virtuoso Andrew Bird will help you ward off winter blues with a set of intimate concerts highlighting his instrumental violin compositions.
When: December 15-17 at 8
Cost: $35-$40
Where: Fourth Presbyterian Church
Address: 126 E. Chestnut
Black Math
The Scoop: Electronic and reverb Chicago rockers Black Math bring their danceable grooves to the Hideout.
When: December 5th at 9PM
Cost: $5 (21+)
Where: The Hideout
Address: 1354 W. Wabansia Ave.
Chicago Bluegrass and Blue Festival
The Scoop: Amazing music festival line up for the second annual Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival. Bela Fleck and Eddy Clearwater headline this festival that brings together mostly homegrown talented blues, jam, and Americana bands to the Congress theatre. If you love and appreciate roots music as much as we do, this is a must see-12 bands, 25 bands for only $35. Plus: participartory picking: BYO banjo. Amazing.
When: December 11th-11 a.m Midnight
Cost: $35
Where: Congress Theater
Address: 2135 N. Milwaukee/Chicago, Illinois
Local H
The Scoop: Along with the power house drummer Brian St. Clari, Chicagoland native Scott Lucas is brings catchy melodies and hard rock hooks to the Double Door
When: December 31st, 9:30 p.m
Cost: $65
Where: Double Door
Address: 1572 N. Milwaukee/Chicago, Illinois
Nanci Griffith
The Scoop: shutter soul founder Tedd Strom's favorite folks artist of all time, grammy award winner Nanci Griffith, takes the stage at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Nanci Griffith crafts heartfelt ballads in the style that she describes as "folkabilly", a combination of folk, country, and blue grass.
When: December 5th, Saturday at 7 p.m and 10 p.m
Cost:$36-40
Where: Old Town School of Folk Music
Address: 4544 N. Lincoln Ave./Chicago, Illinois
Star Wars In Concert Featuring The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra
The Scoop: You can't go wrong with this concert. The timeless score of Star Wars performed by the Royal Philharmonic orchestra, stunning light show, massive high def screens with scenes from the movie, and movie props. Narrated by Anthony Daniels, Conducted by Dirk Brosse
When: Two Shows: 1 p.m and 6 p.m, December 6th
Where: United Center
Address: 1901 W. Madison St./Chicago, Illinois
The Swell Season
The Scoop: Bittersweet and heartfelt balladeers and stars of the movie "Once" bring their unique blend of folks and rock to the Auditorium Theatre.
Cost: $30.50-$38
Where: Auditorium Theatre
Address: 50 E. Congress/Chicago, Illinois
Schuba's Annual Waco Weekend: The Waco Brothers
The Mediums
The Scoop: The Waco Brothers bring their unique blend of country, rock hooks to Schuba's for the annual Waco Weekend. If you like alternative country, then you need to be here for this annual tradition.
When:
Comedy: Burning Desires May Show with Michael Gellman
Burning Desires welcomes back renowned director, teacher, and Second City alum Michael J. Gellman to perform with the talented Burning Desires troupe as their special guest. Come see Jimmy Carrane, Laura Hugg and Tim O'Malley cut it up with Mr Gellman on May 29th at The Playgound 6pm. Come check out the self described hottest and funniest (our opinion) recovery based comedy troupe.
This is must see show for only 10 dollars. 10 dollars folks to see some of the most talented improv veterans in the business work their magic and comedic chops on stage. Seriously. You have to check it out.
Date: Saturday, May 29th, 2010
Time: 6:05 pm-7:05 pm
Location: The Playground Theater
Street: 3209 N. Halsted
