Pencil This In
By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 7, 2008 5:00PM
Pack an umbrella, bring your galoshes, and dress in layers. It's been that kind of week. Here are some events to brave any extreme in weather.
Movies/Music: DeRo and the Other Guy , as part of Sound Opinions' "At the Movies" series, will be hosting a rare screening of the Who's 1979 concert biopic The Kids Are Alright. The screening will be followed by a Q&A moderated by Derogatis and Kot.
Music Box Theater, 7 p.m., $10
Art: The Museum of Contemporary Art's exhibit Recent Acquisitions: Focus on Chicago highlights the work of former and current Chicago-based artists whose works in the exhibit are tied together under the common themes of recycling, re-use, and appropriation. This is the first of a two-part exhibit; the second part, in March, will focus on internationally recognized artists.
Through April 20.
Music: Like a bottle of white lightning, Andre Williams can still shock at the age of 72. Celebrating his golden anniversary in the music business, last year was a trying one for the "Black Godfather", who went through as many trials as Job. He was evicted from his senior housing in Joliet after being caught with drugs and went to jail for the first time in his life. He also suffered from a near-fatal combination of pneumonia, heart trouble, and alcohol poisoning. Now claiming to be clean and healthy, he should be at the top of his game in support of his latest album "Aphrodisiac."
Andre Williams performs at the Hideout this evening at 9 p.m. The Goldstars open. Cost is $8.
Radio: WHPK-FM's "News From the Service Entrance" (full disclosure: we've been a guest on the program in the past) is an entertaining two hours of social commentary, stream of consciousness, and music hosted by longtime Hyde Park poet/writer/bon vivant Mario. You never know who might call in to the show. Previous guests have included Chuck D of Public Enemy, Chicago State University poet-in-residence Quraysh Ali Lansana, and cartoonist Carl Skanberg, creator of the "Palehose 7" comic strip. It makes you think, makes you laugh, and is a great way to spend two hours, if only for the "James Brown Song of the Day."
1:30-4 p.m. on 88.5 FM or online at whpk.org/stream.
Food: Bill Kurtis' seasoned baritone can add gravitas to anything, from special investigative reports to "Anchorman." Right now we have his voice looped in our brain saying, "try some open range, grass-fed Tallgrass Beef." It's just fun to hear. Kurtis is a partner in Tallgrass beef. This evening he's giving a presentation on the merits of Tallgrass Beef at Fox & Obel.
6-7:30 p.m., cost is $35.
Food: Today is Chinese New Year. 4706 is the Year of the Rat. the Rat symbolizes prosperity and good fortune. Big Bowl is celebrating Chinese New Year all week. Today through Sunday at Big Bowl specials will center on oranges - they'll be giving them away to guests. The color also symbolizes gold; additionally the word "orange" in Chinese sounds like wealth.