15 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Weekend
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Apr 1, 2016 3:16PM
'Flash.' Photo by Jane Weatherford via The Dance Center.
No foolin', this weekend is going to be awesome.
FRIDAY APRIL 1
CULTURAL DANCE: Hip-hop and Butoh combine in a unique collaboration between Rennie Harris and Michael Sakamoto this weekend at The Dance Center. Flash is a conversational piece that shows the cultural differences and similarities between the African-American and Japanese-American art forms. Tickets are $30.
EDM LUNCH PARTY: Lori Branch takes center stage at the Chicago Cultural Center’s Wired Fridays this week. The Chicago native has been DJing since 1980, blazing a trail back when there weren’t many female DJs on the scene. Noon. Free.
Photo via Dont Fret's website.
STREET ART INDOORS: Street artist Dont Fret will display some of his works at "The Light Times Club" inside Gold Star beginning with an opening party Friday at 7 p.m. The exhibit, which is the first time the "club" has opened its “doors” to the public, will only last for four days. The “conceptual watering hole” will feature drafts curated by Pipework’s Kate Brankin (Pipeworks Brewing Co.) along with cocktails from Ryan Holwerda (Cindys) and Pat Grosso (Berkshire Room). Free.
CHERNOBYL ART EXHIBITION: This month marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear tragedy, and the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art is dedicating the entire museum exhibition space to two exhibits on the theme. Nine artists contributed to "Chernobyl: Impact & Beyond," where works explore life before, during and after the incident, and "Chernobyl: Artists Respond" displays fine art prints. Opening reception is Friday 6 to 9 p.m.
CONTEMPORARY DANCE: Brock Clawson will debut a new work at Giordano Dance Chicago’s spring series at Harris Theater this weekend. We first fell in love with the local choreographer’s work two years ago when we saw his commissioned piece Crossing Ashland at the Joffrey Ballet. Contemporary works from Roni Koresh, Autumn Eckman and more will also be on the program. Shows Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $15.
BEER RELEASE PARTY: Head to WhirlyBall to try the latest Kentucky Breakfast Stout from Founders. The release party will have the 2014, 2015 and new 2016 releases available. They’ll also be serving chicken and waffles with a special Breakfast Stout infused syrup plus games of complimentary WhirlyBall with a variety of prizes including a chance to win a tour of the Founders Brewery Grand Rapids. 7 to 10 p.m. Free. RSVP here.
TAP STORY: Chicago Tap Theatre debuts a new original work at Stage 773 on Friday. Time Steps is a story show of love and tragedy in time travel with original music by CTT Music Director Kurt Schweitz. Run continues through April 10. Tickets are $35.
BEER + BURGERS + BOURBON: The Beer, Burgers, and Bourbon dinner at Rockit Burger Bar is back with a spring edition featuring fish and chip sliders, black bean burgers, ales from Brooklyn Brewery and Jameson whiskey. The four-course dinner begins at 7 p.m. and tickets are $50 per person.
SCRAPPY ROCKERS FROM THE NORTH: Ontario's The Dirty Nil just released their debut, Higher Power, and have hit the road to spread it's message of squalling guitars and indie punk swagger. With 11 songs clocking in at just over 26 minutes, this trio displays an impressive knack for stuffing maximum rawk into short, unrelenting sonic blasts. They open Friday's show at Bottom Lounge and tickets are $15. Restorations and Creepoid are also on the bill.
SATURDAY APRIL 2
It's National Robotics Week. Photo via MSI's website.
ROBOTICS WEEK: It’s National Robotics Week and the Museum of Science and Industry is getting into the spirit with demos and interactive activities all the way through next weekend. Meet AquaJelly, an artificial autonomous jellyfish, play with PARO®, the furry baby seal therapy robot and so much more. All activities are included in Museum Entry.
ANIME DISCUSSION: Anime geeks rejoice--Anime Chicago is hosting a discussion on transformation in Anime and Manga at the Japan Information Center from 3 to 7 p.m. The event, titled Not Our Final Forum, promises to be a lively and intellectual discussion of how the theme of change is expressed both inside and outside the art form. Tickets are $5 and must be purchased in advance.
TRAIL CHALLENGE: The famed elevated trail is hosting The Great 606 Challenge on Saturday. Think The Amazing Race, but without the time pressure or TV cameras. Start at either end of the trail between 1 and 3 p.m. and complete challenges of ranging difficulty as you progress. The good news is that everyone who finishes is a winner. Free. Registration encouraged, walk-ups welcome.
MOBY DICK: See Herman Melville's classic American novel come to life at the Museum of Contemporary Art on Friday and Saturday. This contemporary interpretation brings together puppet masters Blair Thomas and Michael Montenegro, singer-songwriter Michael Smith, percussionist Michael Zerang, visual designer John Boesche, and director Greg Allen for a wild quest. Tickets are $30, but all shows save for one Saturday matinee are already sold out, so act fast.
SUNDAY APRIL 3
Firkins at Firkin Fest. Photo courtesy of Headquarters Beercade.
FIRKIN FEST: fir·kin: “a unit of measure and also the size of a particular kind of keg used for cask conditioning.” Purists will argue that firkin ales are the only real ales, served from a cask without additional nitrogen or carbon dioxide pressure. Tour more than 30 firkin ales at Headquarters Beercade River North’s Firkin Fest from noon to 5 p.m. They’ll have one-of-a-kind ales from BEGYLE, Greenbush, Half Acre, Metropolitan and so many more. Tickets are $40.
CHEF-IN-RESIDENCE DINNER: Nashville Chef Andrew Little from Josephine with be the first in White Oak Tavern & Inn’s Chef In Residence Series, taking over the kitchen for a special dinner on Sunday at 7 p.m. Every quarter, the restaurant will welcome a new member of the culinary community to literally take up residence in the restaurant’s guesthouse. Sunday’s five-course dinner will feature Little’s “ground to gourmet” philosophy. Tickets are $65 for dinner, but the evening will begin with a cash bar reception with the chef at 6 p.m.