Pencil This In
By Staff in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 19, 2011 5:20PM
Art
Local artists Joe Van Wetering and Paul Octavious are curating a one-night pop up show in River North tomorrow night. Work from 17 Chicago artists and more than 50 international artists will be on display and for sale. The "What If..."Show features art around the idea of alternate universes and other sci-fi themes. Stop by for free food, adult drinks and music from DJ Major Taylor. (River North Park, 321 W. Grand, August 20, 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.)
Boxing
Don't feel like going out tonight? While you're flipping through the channels stop by ESPN2 for the Friday Night Fights Season Finale to watch two Chicago fighters tear it up. Chicago lightweight boxer and '96 Olympian Dangerous David Diaz will be fighting Hammerin' Hank Lundy of Philadelphia in the co-main event. And on the undercard, Chicago native, Montell "ICE" Griffin will be going for his 50th win. Their names might sound corny to us common folk, these dudes are a combined 312 pounds of reputable talent in the big bad world of professional boxing.
Tejano Funk
If ever a band could boast having a complex genealogical tree, that band is Brownout. The eight-piece, Latin funk ensemble based in Austin, Texas, is both offspring and germinating seed to Grammy-nominated Grupo Fantasma. Mostly instrumental, the band takes its cues from James Brown's J.B.'s and San Francisco's Malo, the Seventies act fronted by Carlos Santana's brother Jorge, but they infuse it with their particular vibe of border music hybridity and generous brushstrokes of trippy psychedelia. The band member’s musical journey began as a revolt against the Mexican cumbias and Tejano music of their hometown. Opting instead to immerse themselves in the worlds of Sly Stone, James Brown, and Mandrill, they were nurtured by soulful staccato drums, deep-in-the-pocket guitar riffs, and bawdy bass lines, elements that would provide the overriding arch for their sundry musical explorations. Brownout plays Mayne Stage 10 p.m. tonight. Tickets are available online or by calling 773-381-4551. The band will take part in a Q&A with journalist Catalina Maria Johnson at 9 p.m.
If you have an event for inclusion in "Pencil This In," please contact Tankboy (for A&E-related listings), Anthony (for tastings, dinners and food and drink-related events) or tips[at]chicagoist[dot]com.