Weekly Arts Roundup

By Justin Sondak in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 1, 2007 4:00PM

Looking forward

The Chicago Chamber Musicians are giving it away today and all first Mondays through August 2008 at the Chicago Cultural Center, a series of monthly free concerts kicking off with Eric Ewazen's Trio in E-Flat and Alexander Arutunian's Trumpet Concerto in A-Flat Major.

Caro d’Offay Gallery invites contributions from aspiring and established sculptors for Colorist Chess, an interactive exhibition linking imaginative writing and creative imagery. Artists — established, aspiring, and otherwise — are invited to submit two “mystery object” shapes by October 7. Read the instructions carefully, then get to work. You may find your brilliant interpretations on display in Wicker Park starting October 13.

Looking back

Shortly before the opening of La Boheme, The Lyric Opera fired lead soprano Angela Gheorghiu for skipping Tuesday night’s full-orchestra rehearsal without permission to see her hubbie’s opening at The Metropolitan Opera. Understudy Elaine Alvarez will fill in for Gheorghiu’s six scheduled performances starting with tonight’s opening.

David Leonardis, proprietor of two Chicago galleries bearing his name, opened the Howard Finster Vision House in Summerville, Ga., last week. You think your rehab was tough? Leonardis removed 8 tons of debris, gutted and essentially rebuilt the late Reverend’s home into a major outsider art destination.

Time Out Chicago’s latest cover story is a must read for anyone contemplating the impact of Broadway in Chicago’s staggering box office take on Chicago’s theater landscape or simply looking for affordable alternatives to those New York imports.

Image via Howard Finster’s MySpace page.