Events Search
773-395-0505The Presence of Absence
5/10-6/2:Galleries
New exhibition curated by Northwestern faculty Dave and Debra Tolchinsky, featuring an installation from fellow Northwestern professor Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle. Reception Fri 5/10, 5-7 PM.
2800 N. Milwaukee Ave., second floor
Logan Square Info@hairpinartscenter.org
Vaudeville Roars!
Through 6/12: Wed 7:30 PMTheater & Performance
Nobody roared convincingly when I saw this variety show—a once-a-month collaboration between Striding Lion Performance Group and Voice of the City. But the cheesy MC did boom as he guided us through nine acts offered in five different seating configurations. We learned quickly that when he said, "But wait!" at the end of each performance, the obligatory and absolutely true response was, "There's more!" Expect the good, the bad, and the ugly here. The February edition included a stunning rendition of Destiny's Child's "Bills, Bills, Bills," Plucky Rosenthal's ukulele-fueled stand-up, and a sad clown playing Elvis songs squeakily on her violin. The setting is reason enough to risk a few theatrical misfires, though. Hairpin Arts Center's expansive second-floor loft space allows for ever-shifting performances and offers what Rosenthal called "a great view of the city: Foot Locker and Gap." —Hannah Gold $5-$10
2800 N. Milwaukee Ave., second floor
Logan Square Info@hairpinartscenter.org
Chicago Barn Dance Company
Mon., May 20, 7 p.m.Folk & Country
Barn dance featuring Kathy, Patt, and Mark with caller Eric Zorn.
Irish American Heritage Festival
7/13-7/15: Fri 6 PM-midnight, Sat noon-midnight, Sun noon-11 PMMusic Festivals
A celebration of Irish culture, featuring the Tossers, the Dublin City Ramblers, the Killdares, and more. $7-$15
The Boulevard
8/23-8/25, Fri 5-10 PM, Sat noon-10 PM, Sun noon-9 PMFairs & Festivals
This festival brings an eclectic mix of artists, food, and local craft vendors, reflecting the diverse culture of Logan Square. $5 suggested donation
6 Corners BBQ Fest
6/15-6/16: Sat noon-10 PM, Sun noon-8 PMFairs & Festivals
Celebrate the world of BBQ with all your favorite meats: ribs, hot dogs, fried chicken, and more. The festival includes an outdoor market and a bouncy castle for kids. $5 suggested donation
Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival
6/28-6/30: Fri-Sun, Fri 4 PM, Sat-Sun 11 AMMusic Festivals
Enjoy three stages of live music while perusing local craft vendors and noshing on snacks from local restaurants. $5 suggested donation
Milwaukee between California and Belden/Diversey
Logan Square
Just Another Love Story: The Most Excellent and Lamentable Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet
Through 5/25: Fri-Sat 8 PMTheater & Performance
An LGBTQ reimagining of Shakespeare's classic romance. $20
The Revelettes 60s Go Go Spectacular
Through 5/25: Sat 10:30 PMTheater & Performance
This 60s pop-rock revue began with a casual ten-minute game of bingo that nobody managed to win, not that anyone seemed to care—prizes were given out to any go-go-getter who would claim them. Then emcee Andy Somma announced what appeared to be the premise of the evening's performance: "If you think about it, the next few years are just going to be the 50th anniversary of what happened in the 60s." The Revelettes took the stage in white pleather boots, first for a dance tribute to the late Annette Funicello, then to perform kitschy cult classics like "Do the Trog" and "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes." The Reveltones covered some retro chart toppers as well, proving their groovy panache with renditions of "Goldfinger" and "Song of a Preacher Man." Nothing special, all in all, but at least I went home with a consolation prize. —Hannah Gold $15
Incident on Run #1217
Through 6/1: Fri-Sat 8 PM, Sun 3 PMTheater & Performance
Joseph Lark-Riley's life-size re-creation of a subway car dominates the tiny Factory Theater space, pushing the audience into two cramped rows around the edges. It also sets a perfect mood for Manny Tamayo's claustrophobic drama about a group of passengers trapped on a stopped train and terrorized by a pair of sadistic hoods. To tell the truth, though, Tamayo's storytelling is so finely wrought we would have been drawn into it even if the play had been performed, Second City style, on an empty stage with cane chairs. Matt Engle's casting and direction are pitch-perfect, and his ensemble ably brings Tamayo's characters to life; Mandy Walsh is particularly fine as a fed-up wife with a spineless husband. —Jack Helbig $20
