Pencil This In
By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Apr 11, 2008 4:00PM
The listed events were chosen by the editors of Chicagoist and brought to you by the
2009 Toyota Corolla.
Welcome Back
Last week, HotHouse opened a new chapter in its history, partnering with the Viaduct Theatre to produce shows in its well-worn, comfortable space at 3111 N. Western. Just seeing HotHouse back in operation again, and the wide range of musical programming it can offer, can only benefit the city's cultural landscape. Tribune jazz critic Howard Reich agreed, giving the partnership rave reviews while inferring that HotHouse v. 3.0 reminds him slightly of its Wicker Park infancy. One major advantage HotHouse has is the participation of Uncommon Ground booker David Chavez, who's doing most of the heavy lifting here, as well. You won't find us behind the bar - one has to move on, eventually - but you might find us in the audience this evening for "Cultural Connections: Mexican Son Jarocho to Spanish Flamenco" featuring longtime local flamenco favorites Las Guitarras de Espana and son montuno masters Fandanguero, with a special after program set from Darwin Noguera's Evolution Trio. Noguera, a rising piano player and bandleader in the style of Eddie Palmieri, is a must-see.
9 p.m., $15, 18+
One of the most popular monthly arts events in the city is the 2nd Fridays Gallery Night through the Chicago Art District in Pilsen. Hundreds of arts patrons, scenesters, fellow artists, and others flock to the epicenter of 18th and Halsted as the galleries of the "Podmajersky" arts district open their doors to the public for an evening of exhibitions and performances.
6-10 p.m., free.
Film
"Teeth" explores the myth of vagina dentata in horror film format. Teenaged Dawn (Jess Weixler) discovers an odd physical mutation down there as she becomes sexually mature, a mutation that becomes an advantage for her when she gets involved with boys who don't know the meaning of the word "no." Sounds like a subject ripe for a midnight movie. And it is, at the Music Box this weekend.
3733 N. Southport, midnight tonight and Saturday.
Jazz
Karrin Allyson is one of the few jazz vocalists working who records albums where the song selections fit together as fully conceived concepts. She's tackled everything from blues to 70's pop music, torch songs to a complete re-casting of John Coltrane's Ballads album with an originality missing from the Diana Kralls out there. Onstage, Allyson is a spitfire, equally at home behind a microphone or piano. Touring behind her latest record, Imagina: Songs of Brasil, Allyson begins a two-night engagement at Green Mill this evening.
4802 N. Broadway, 9 p.m. - 1 a.m., $12
Las Guitarras de Espana photo via the band's myspace page. Karrin Allyson photo credit: Randee St. Nicholas.