Pencil This In
By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Apr 21, 2008 5:37PM
The listed events were chosen by the editors of Chicagoist and brought to you by the
2009 Toyota Corolla.
Classical Music
Classical music is littered with "prodigies" both legitimate and hyped relentlessly by PR types. When we read that the Indian bamboo flutist Shashank started taking vocal lessons before he could even formulate words, we couldn't help but be skeptical. Regardless, what isn't up for debate is the passion and skill with which Shashank plays his chosen instrument. Shashank also displays a equal fondness for bop-era jazz in his inventive solos and rhythm signatures. He'll be at the Cultural Center this evening for a free concert.
Claudia Cassidy Hall, 7 p.m.
Folk
This town's always been a good audience for Sam Beam and his long-running project Iron and Wine (we cannot recommend Beam's collaboration with Calexico, In the Reins, enough). The Vic, where Iron and Wine settle in for a two-night engagement, has some of the better acoustics in the city for Beam's blend of alt-country and folk. Califone opens.
3145 N. Sheffield, 7:30 p.m.
Photography
Although his reputation was built on being a painter, Ed Ruscha was also an accomplished photographer. In most of his photography, Ruscha subject matter focused on taken-for-granted architecture in their element. Ruscha's photos are currently on display at the Art Institute.
111 S. Michigan, $7-$12 admission
Political Acts: The Emerging Arab-American Theater Movement, is a discussion featuring three of the most promising and prominent Arab-American playwrights today. Yussef El Guindi, Heather Raffo and Betty Shamieh – Americans of Egyptian, Iraqi, and Palestinian descent respectively – will come together for the first time to discuss the politics in their work, their careers as outsider artists, the ability of art to transcend cultural differences, and the political challenges of negotiating the east-west divide. Moderating this panel will be Simon O'Rourke of the Chicago Council of Global Affairs. The discussion is being presented by Next Theatre Company, the Silk Road Theatre Project and the Museum of Contemporary Art.
926 Noyes Street, Evanston, 7 p.m. Event is free, but RSVP to 847-475-1875 ext. 2 or via e-mail.