15 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Week
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 25, 2017 5:00AM
Art, films and music keeps us going this week in Chicago.
MONDAY JULY 24
MILLENNIUM PARK MUSIC SERIES: Amadou and Mariam met at the Institute for Young Blind in Mali and went on to create melodic and bluesy African pop that appeals to the masses. They’ve collaborated with the likes of Manu Chao, Blur/Gorillaz’s Damon Albarn, Somalian rapper K'Naan and Keziah Jones, and they’ll play the Pritzker Pavilion stage for free at 6:30 p.m. Native American hip hop artist Frank Waln will also play.
TUESDAY JULY 25
AN AMERICAN IN PARIS: The Tony Award-winning musical from director/choreographer Christopher Wheeldon opens at Oriental Theatre on July 25. An American in Paris joins ballet and broadway as an American soldier and a mysterious French girl look for a new beginning in the aftermath of war. The musical runs through Aug. 13. Tickets start at $27.
DON'T CALL THEM GRUNGE GODS: The Melvins' latest A Walk With Love & Death is a "double album" in that it combines two new works, Death (a more traditional Melvins work) and Love ( an experimental soundtrack to a short film the band is creating). So we honestly have no idea what to expect from the band when they play Metro on Tuesday night, aside from the knowledge that The Melvins have built a career of creating arresting live spectacles out of the unexpected. So strap in and enjoy the ride.
MILLENNIUM PARK FILM SERIES: Howard Beale is “mad as hell and not going to take this anymore.” The 1976 film Network showed how the rant of an angry anchorman could boost ratings, but with potential ethical consequences. The film eerily reflecting today’s news and political climate more than 30 years later, begins at 6:30 p.m. on Pritzker Pavilion’s 40-foot LED screen.
MACCA'S BACK: Paul McCartney returns for a two-night stand this week at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre on July 25 and 26. We've seen Sir Paul play a number of times over the last couple of years and are consistently surprised at how great his live shows remain, bursting with energy and giving new life to songs decades of years old.
WEDNESDAY JULY 26
ACTIVATE ALLEY: The downtown ACTIVATE art event is back with another edition in the Chicago Theatre Alley from 5 to 10 p.m. This month’s theme is “Wasteland: Dispose and Discover” exploring the alley as a space where we dispose of unwanted stuff, but also discover valuable discarded objects. Register in advance for a complimentary drink ticket. Free.
MISS SPOKEN: The lady-centric live lit show Miss Spoken takes on “Mistaken Identity” for this month’s show at Gallery Cabaret at 7 p.m. Readers include Bea Cordelia, Brooke Allen and Kim Nelson. Entry is a $5 suggested donation.
GHOSTBUSTERS AT PARK AT WRIGLEY: Who you gonna call? The original 1984 Ghostbusters is tonight’s Music Box Movie at the Park at 7 p.m. Before the outdoor film screening outside Wrigley Field, snap a photo with the Windy City Ghostbusters, the Gatekeeper, Keymaster, Stay Puft Marshmallow Man and Inflatable Slimer. Free.
ROCK OUT FOR KT'S KIDS: Little in this world feels better than seeing a really good show while also knowing you're donating to a really good cause. So if you want to feel those two things simultaneously, we've got you covered because Local H is playing a benefit for KT's Kids at Liar's Club on Wednesday night. Seeing Local H at Liar's Club is always an over-the-top good time, and KT's Kids is a cause worth supporting, so everyone wins with this one.
THURSDAY JULY 27
NEWBERRY LIBRARY BOOK FAIR: The Newberry Library Book Fair is like Christmas for bookworms. One of the largest used book sales in the country, the independent library has more than 120,000 used books, movies, records and more for sale this Thursday through Sunday. Admission is Free.
FIESTA DEL SOL: Pilsen’s Fiesta del Sol is the largest Latino festival in the midwest, with family values at heart. The alcohol and tobacco-free festival still has plenty of fun, with live music, a carnival and civil rights and community activities all weekend.
Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me! image via DCASE.
WAIT WAIT...LIVE: The NPR show that quizzes contestants on the week’s news comes to Pritzker Pavilion for a special live show. Join host Peter Sagal and Judge and Scorekeeper Bill Kurtis from 7 to 9 p.m. with a panel of comedians, humorists and journalists, listener contestants and a special celebrity guest for Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! Free.
MURDER MYSTERY DINNER: Carnivale hosts an interactive dinner theater experience this Thursday with “Crime & Punishment: A 1920’s Murder Mystery” from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Attempt to solve the whodunit filled with deceptive mafia and jilted lovers while enjoying a three course meal featuring Ropa Vieja, Peruvian Chicken and more. Tickets are $65.
CHEF COLLAB SERIES: Boefhaus Chefs Brian Ahern and Jamie Finnegan join Travelle Kitchen + Bar’s Ricardo Jarquin for the next installment of The Langham restaurant’s "Chef Collab" Series at 6 p.m. The five-course family-style dinner begins with a cocktail hour meet-and-greet where guests have the opportunity to chat with the chefs. Tickets are $65. Call 312-923-7705 to reserve a spot.
FRIDAY JULY 28
Image courtesy of Chicago Dance Crash.
DANCE CRASH: Take a trip to the other side of The Land of Oz during Chicago Dance Crash’s latest production, The Bricklayers of Oz. Munchkinland’s bricklayers and laborers star in this “street tale” that imagines life for second-class citizens of a magical world. The family-friendly production opens this Friday and runs through Aug. 5. Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for children 12 and under.