22 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Week
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Apr 4, 2016 4:04PM
TeatroCinema opens on Thursday at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Photo courtesy of the MCA.
April is in full swing, and so are these events we've got for your week.
MONDAY APRIL 4
COMEDY ANNIVERSARY SHOW: GMan’s Monday Night Standup Comedy Showcase is celebrating two years this week. The weekly show has hosted comedians from popular programs like Last Comic Standing, Conan and Comedy Central. Hosted by the Best Night Ever producers, the anniversary show stars Derek Smith, Reena Calm, Tom Brady and many more. Plus they’ll be debuting GMan’s new, refurbished back bar. 8:30 to 10 p.m. Free.
PHO Q DINNER: Analogue and The Hey-Ha Food Truck are getting together for an evening combining American Southern and Vietnamese food. The five course dinner features menu items like pho with smoked brisket and smoked gulf shrimp spring rolls. Seating is at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $40.
Stomping Ground. Photo by Bill Frederking courtesy of CHRP.
RHYTHMIC DANCE SERIES: Six companies. Six venues. Six neighborhoods. Monday is the first concert of Stomping Grounds, Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s second annual dance series, Stomping Grounds. See African, Irish, Mexican, Spanish, Japanese and American cultural dance, all involving tap and percussive dance. The free concert begins at 6 p.m. at the Chicago Cultural Center. See CHRP’s website for remaining dates and more information.
BRITPOP FROM DOWN UNDER: DMA's full length Hills End takes its influences from mid-'90s Britpop, and we're not complaining one bit. The trio is based in Australia, so their show at Schubas Monday night will be the first chance for many to see the band live. The band is building quite a bit of buzz, so this is your chance to catch an act early in its rise. Tickets are $15 at the door, $13 in advance.
TUESDAY APRIL 5
BACON MONTH KICKOFF: Chicago loves bacon...and bocce and beats and booze, so Chop Shop has combined them all for the Bacon Month Kickoff party. From 7 to 10 p.m. you can sip beers and cocktails while playing indoor bocce ball and of course munching on unique bacon bites. DJRC will provide the music. Tickets are $30.
CASTING CALL: Think you’ve got what it takes to be the face of Chicago? 900 North Michigan Shops is holding a casting call for their new ad campaign “I Am Chicago” from noon to 8 p.m. They’re looking for six everyday locals to represent the city’s unique spirit. No need for headshots, just bring your personality, your story and a photo ID. There will also be live music, beauty demo’s/touch-ups, light bites from local restaurants and more. For more details, check out their website.
Mark Morris Dance Group. Photo by Susana Millman courtesy of Harris Theater.
CONTEMPORARY DANCE + MUSIC: Mark Morris is one of the hailed choreographers of our time, and he’s bringing his internationally renowned Dance Group and Music Ensemble to Harris Theater for a unique music and dance combo performance. Morris will be the conductor at the event, where they’ll be performing Dido and Aeneas, an intense story of love, sex, destruction, and death. The Harris will also unveil their newly renovated lobbies with an after-party including complimentary cocktails and sweets and an opportunity to mingle with the performers. Tickets are $40 ($250 with the pre-performance dinner gala).
CHAMPAGNE DINNER: Moët Hennessy brings their finest champagnes to Blackbird for a special dinner pairing at 6:30 p.m. Chef Ryan Pfeiffer has created a five-course menu that includes a selection of cheeses, savory dishes and desserts, and expert Nancy Parng will guide guests through the different champagnes. Tickets are $150. Email Caroline@blackbirdrest for reservations. Organizers have informed us they "had to postpone this event due to scheduling conflicts but we’re planning to reschedule sometime soon. "
LAUGHS FOR BOOKS: Laughs Unlocked is a special improv comedy show at the Annoyance Theater that will raise funds for Chicago Books to Women in Prison. The evening’s material will be based on stories from Dionna Griffin-Irons, formerly incarcerated herself. Griffin-Irons is an alumna of Second City and a writer who is currently working on her memoir. Tickets are $25.
Tallis Scholars. Photo by Eric Richmond courtesy of CSO.
RENAISSANCE CONCERT: Chicago’s Shakespeare 400 continues with a special concert from The Tallis Scholars at Fourth Presbyterian Church at 7:30 p.m. The twelve-voice ensemble has performed Renaissance music all over the world led by their fearless director, Peter Phillips. The evening’s program will feature two motets and other text and music composed during Shakespeare’s lifetime. Tickets start at $35.
WINEMAKER DINNER: Cherry Circle Room hosts a dinner with Thomas Monroe of Division Winemaking Company and their own wine director Andrew Algren at 7:30 p.m. With only 20 seats available, this promises to be an intimate dinner with plenty of time to chat with the two experts about the wine. Tickets are $90.
WEDNESDAY APRIL 6
ROCK CONCERT: We were very excited to hear that rock legend Iggy Pop had collaborated on an album with Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme, Wednesday the tour lands at the Chicago Theater. Joining the duo will be QOSTA members Dean Fertita and Troy Van Leeuwen, bassist Matt Sweeny, and Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders. Tickets start at $39.50.
SPRING BEER DINNER: Have dinner with a Brewer from Bell’s at Chop Shop at 7 p.m. The restaurant’s new chef, Emily Ghedotte will prepare a four course dinner paired with beers from the Michigan brewery while showing off their new spring menu. Tickets are $40.
THURSDAY APRIL 7
LATINO THEATER: Chilean theater company, Teatrocinema, brings a show based on a graphic novel to the Museum of Contemporary Art titled Historia de Amor (Love Story). Using two projection screens, digital imaging, mirrors and live action they tell a dark story of love, abduction and abuse. Performances continue through Sunday, but Friday includes a conversation with Juan Carlos Zagal and ensemble members. Tickets are $30.
DINNER + A MOVIE PRE-SCREENING: You’re already likely to head out on a dinner and movie date, so how about letting someone else do the legwork for you? ArcLight Cinemas has put together another Dinner & Movie event with the help of Mercadito and Lyft. Start off with dinner at Mercadito at 6 p.m., and then pre-planned Lyft cars will take you to a special pre-screening of The Boss. Tickets are $55 apiece.
FIRST THURSDAY: Hyde Park announces a new, monthly event with neighborhood restaurants and stores offering discounts, refreshments, raffles and more. First Thursdays kicks off this week and continues each week through December. Free.
PINK FLOYD TRIBUTE BAND: Jam out with Pink Floyd tribute band, Echoes of Pompeii, at Reggies Rock Club at 8 p.m. Purchases a record from Reggie's Record Store and get a free beer token with purchase of an Echoes of Pompeii ticket. Tickets are $10 (free with proof of ticket from David Gilmour concerts at United Center).
POWER POP: Laura Stevenson's Cocksure was one of our favorite albums of 2015, so we're looking forward to seeing those songs performed live at Cobra Lounge on Thursday. Her razor sharp lyrical wit meshes perfectly with her tightly constructed pop rock, delivering delightfully punchy songs. Tickets are $14 to $16.
FRIDAY APRIL 8
LATINO FILM FESTIVAL: More than 100 feature and shorts films from all over Latin America, Spain, Portugal and the United States will be screened at the 32nd Annual Chicago Latino Film Festival. The festival also includes discussions with some of the directors and other special events. The Opening Night Gala kicks things off on Friday with a screening of Illusions S.A. (starring Jane the Virgin’s Jaime Camil) at AMC River East and a reception afterwards at the neighboring Embassy Suites Hotel. For the full schedule and to purchase tickets, visit the festival’s website.
Photo via Chance the Rapper's Facebook page.
CHANCE + ANNIVERSARY CONCERT: We’ve talked about how busy Chance the Rapper is, and one of the things coming up for the hometown rapper is headlining the Power 92 15th Anniversary Concert. The radio station is also bringing in Katie Got Bandz, Lil Bibby, BJ The Chicago Kid and more for the show at Chicago Theatre. 8 p.m. Tickets start at $50.
ART GALA: The Underground gets cultured with an evening of art, music and charity. The Art Gala features art from Lefty Out There, Erik Sosa and The Queen of Tape. Tickets are $40 and include apps and champagne with proceeds benefiting Imerman Angels.
DANCE: Hedwig Dances presents two works from artistic director Jan Bartoszek at Circling The Square at The Athenaeum Theatre. The evening includes a reprise of ASCENDance, “a multi-disciplinary dance theater production depicting renewal and transformation in a chaotic world.” Performances Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $17.
ASCENDance Trailer from Hedwig Dances on Vimeo.