Legends, Locals and Christian Bongers
By Scott Smith in Arts & Entertainment on Dec 6, 2004 4:07PM
Chicagoist started our holiday shopping this weekend so we’re feeling a little broke today. When it comes to entertainment this evening if it ain’t free, then it ain’t happenin’. Luckily, the gods of free live music are smiling down upon us so we won’t be stuck watching 7th Heaven tonight. And that’s good because we’ve already seen that one (Simon might be having sex! Horrors!).
Tops on the list is a show at Sonotheque featuring Grandmaster Flash 
and Biz Markie. No, we’re not shitting you. Two legends of hip-hop in a free show tonight at 8 PM! Until recently, hip-hop has been stubborn about acknowledging those that came before. But without Flash and the Biz, there would be no Snoop Dogg or Eminem. Make sure to show up early and RSVP if you’re planning on going.
Local bands The Explanation (warning: irritatingly long Flash intro on their site) and Harlan Pepper will be playing the Empty Bottle tonight at 9:30 PM. Opening will be further proof that 80s glam rock is back for your listening pleasure (ironic or otherwise): The Nastys from Michigan. And again: free.
Finally, for something completely different, the Chicago Cultural Center will be switching gears from their usual classical Mondays for an avant-garde jazz show by New York musician Michael Gordon. Part concert and part stage show, Gordon’s works feature visual media and rock rhythms to tell their stories. Plus, his bassist’s name is Christian Bongers. We hear he used to play with a guy named Buddhist Speed Freak. Show starts at 7 PM in the Cassidy Theater.
Photo: Scion.com