Category: world music

Hello! Here are my picks for this week in Chicago:

8/13: Tuesdays on the Terrace at the Museum of Contemporary Art with Julia Huff

The Museum of Contemporary Art’s Terrace turns into a jazz concert every Tuesday evening this summer. Each week different jazz musicians play at the Terrace. You can bring your own blanket to watch on the garden lawn, or you can rent a chair. Read More

8/13: Eastern Blok with Nohaybanda trio and World Service Project

The Chicago-based world fusion jazz ensemble Eastern Blok performs at Reggies Music Joint. Their inventive re-interpretations of old standards and innovative original compositions are a by-product of the artful blending of many diverse styles with jazz including classical, Macedonian, Bulgarian, and Serbian folk, Klezmer, rock and a smattering of Middle Eastern flavorings as well. Read More

8/13: Movies at Millennium Park -Cabaret

Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey both took home Oscars as did Director Bob Fosse, just three of the eight Oscars won by this Kander and Ebb musical. It focuses on the decadent Kit Kat Club in a 1930s pre-Hitler Berlin and its nightclub singer, the carefree Sally Bowles. 1972 (124 min.) Free. Film will begina at 7:30 pm. Read More

8/14: Reggae Beach Party at Montrose Beach

Absolutely free to the public & also pet + kid friendly.
“Tropical Addiction Reggae Series “. Read More

8/14: Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks

Building on the success of last summer’s inaugural session, the expanded 2013 program will bring William Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors. FREE FOR ALL, to neighborhood parks across Chicago. A specially equipped truck will roll into each park, a stage will unfold, and a company of professional actors will share the delight of Shakespeare. Read More

8/15: Sones De México Ensemble with the Chicago Sinfonietta Wind Ensemble

Celebrate summer with a fandango featuring the GRAMMY Award-winning Sones de México Ensemble Chicago along with a wind ensemble from the Chicago Sinfonietta. Read More

8/15: Cuban Charanga at Lalo’s

Pa’ Gozar at Lalo’s on Maxwell Street with Cuban Charanga and Mexican Food. Read More

8/15:Will From Brazil at Underground Wonderbar

Come out for some live Brazilian-Fusion Music and awesome people and atmosphere! Read More

8/16-17: SummerDance in Grant Par
This weekend features Swing and Salsa. Read More

8/16: Indian Independ-DANCE with DJ Cheb i Sabbah

Born in Algeria of Berber (Amazigh) descent, Cheb i Sabbah moved to Paris as a teenager and became a DJ by chance. By the late 1980s, residing in San Francisco, he was internationally pushing boundaries on the dance floor, seeking ways to infuse Asian, Arabic, and African sounds into the mix. Then as the “world music” movement unfolded, Cheb i Sabbah took the inspired step of recording traditional and classical musicians from India, Pakistan, and Africa, effectively transforming those compositions into sonic landscapes, thus creating a new style of electronic music “composed” by a DJ. Read More

8/16: The Balkan Invasion Party

It’s the craziest Balkan dance party going on every 3rd Friday of the month in the downstairs lounge of SubT. Read More

8/17: The DuSable Museum of African American History presents Movies in the Park- Jumpin’ the Brooom

Join some of Chicago’s premiere steppers and steppin’ teams at the DuSable Museum, and learn the distinctive art and varying styles of this beautiful couples’ dance. After a time of exciting, interactive instruction, the Museum lawn becomes your dance floor to step until dusk. Free.

SCHEDULE:
7:00PM Steppin’ demonstration
7:30PM Couples dance
8:30PM Feature Presentation: “Jumpin’ The Broom”

8/17: Unisono Festival

Unisono is an annual music and cultural festival held in Chicago’s historic Pilsen neighborhood. Unisono celebrates community empowerment through diversity, education and social justice. The festival features popular musical performances, poetry performances and readings from renowned authors, as well as a variety of free educational and art workshops. Read More

8/17: Raices del Ande Concert at Old Town School of Folk Music

Raíces del Ande was founded in 1983 by six Chicago-based Bolivian university students. The group’s style, known internationally as Andean music, combines indigenous, Spanish, and African influences. Read More

In the days of reality TV where just anyone can become famous for being married into the mob, NBA, or a rich family, it’s refreshing to see young artists climb their way to notoriety on the backs of their own talent. Chicago has long since been the breeding grounds for artists in the fields of theatre, music, comedy, dance, and performance, and is now becoming the forefront of the most innovative and provocative solo artists. Included in this exciting group is a wave of revolutionary Latino performers pushing the envelope, and breaking stereotypes. One of them is Melissa DuPrey, a Boricua from the  Humboldt Park neighborhood who has been firing up the stages with live theatre and comedy around the city.

I recently  had the pleasure to interview Melissa for CAN TV’s show Perspectivas  Latinas and talk about her  latest production called SEXomedy, a raw and edgy comedy show of one’s woman attempt to reveal her truth about sex. In it, Melissa unveils her many tales of frustration, surprise, and pleasures in the bedroom. From preparing to do the deed to the hassles of dating, from shaving to Abuela’s consejitos, Melissa dares to share what your mama never told you about sex. You will find yourself laughing, blushing, and screaming for more! Her monologue is full of very candid and hilarious jokes; however, they are not superficial at all. Through them, Melissa is addressing deeper issues, such as her perspectives about gender roles, self-image and even race in Latino and American cultures. The show is Melissa’s declaration of independence with her own sexuality and sense of being.  If you are curious about her and the show (I’m sure you are!), go to her next performance; you will have a great time. Here is the information:

Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at 7:00 PM
Greenhouse Theater – Downstairs Mainstage
2257 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: (773) 404-4336
Website: www.greenhousetheater.org
E-Mail: boxoffice@greenhousetheater.org

Tickets cost $15 and you can buy them here

7/22-8/04: Rhythm World

Highlighting the depth and breadth of national and international tap artistry, Chicago Human Rhythm Project (CHRP) presents Rhythm World, the oldest and most comprehensive festival of American tap and contemporary percussive arts in the world. Showcasing some of the world’s greatest rhythm masters, the 23rd annual festival features performances at the Jazz Showcase and The Edlis Neeson Theater at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Read More

7/24: Chicago Public Library Foundation Networking Event at Instituto Cervantes

Join the Chicago Public Library Foundation’s Junior Board for an evening of socializing and professional networking amid Xavier Nuez’ photographic exhibit Alleys & Ruins, an exploration of urban decay in America. Enjoy wine and cheese from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Your $15.00 ticket benefits the Chicago Public Library. Get tickets here. Read More

7/24 : Rodrigo y Gabriela Concert

See Rodrigo y Gabriela live July 24 at 7:30pm at The Chicago Theatre! Read More

7/24-28 Afro-Mexican Music with Encuentro de Jaraneros

The Encuentro de Jaraneros includes concerts, workshops, and fandangos which are open to the public. Read More

7/25: Fiesta del Sol

It’s the largest Latino festival in the Midwest! Enjoy a huge lineup of entertainment and music, savor a variety of food including authentic Mexican favorites, browse works and engage with artists in the Arts & Culture Pavilion. Read More

7/25: Made in Chicago: World Class Jazz

Our city’s great jazz tradition returns to Millennium Park Thursday evenings this summer! On July 25 Dee Alexander’s Funkin’ is performing with Acoustic Soul: Tribute to James Brown and Jimi Hendrix. Read More

7/26: Chicago French Film Festival

Now in its third year, the Music Box expands to an entire week of the very best in contemporary French cinema, featuring special guests and film presentations. Read More

7/26 Home/Land

Home/Land is the final play in the Goodman’s Latino Theatre Festival 2013. Presented by Albany Park Theater Project teen ensemble, this critically acclaimed original play brings to life true stories of immigrant families who strive to stay together to make a better life. Read More

7/26 7-9PM – “AFRICOBRA: Art & Impact” – Opening Reception

The DuSable Museum celebrates the opening of their newest exhibit, AFRICOBRA: Art and Impact which honors the Chicago artist group, AfriCOBRA (African Commune of Bad Relevant Artists). AfriCOBRA’s founding members, Jeff Donaldson, Jae Jarrell, Wadsworth Jarrell, Barbara Jones-Hogu, and Gerald Williams, came together in 1968 on the South Side of Chicago and had a lasting impact on peers and subsequent generations of artists, writers, actors, dancers, and musicians. As part of this special evening, you will enjoy guided tours of the exhibition, a light dinner, and also music and dance performances inspired by the legacy of the AfriCOBRA movement.This is a FREE event. For more information, call 773-947-0600 ext. 290.

7/27: Underwear Fest

This event is for supporters of gender equality held on a private reserve outdoors in the heart of Chicago. Read More

7/27 12-6PM: Tomato Blast
This is a massive tomato fight modeled after Spain’s annual La Tomatina Fest. La Tomatina is an annual festival held in the Valencian town of Buñol, located 30 km from the Mediterranean, in which participants throw tomatoes and get involved in tomato fights for fun. Read More

7/27 12-6pm Chicago Scene Boat Party

Consistently voted the wettest and wildest event of the summer, this party is not to be missed. Thousands of Chicagoans in over 700 boats show up each year to party with friends and strangers on beautiful Lake Michigan. Read More

7/27: Venetian Night
Venetian Night is named and modeled after the popular boat parades in Venice that happen during Christmas. Boats get ornated with amazing light decoration and parade for the crowd on shore. There is also a display of fireworks during this festivityRead More
7/27-28 Intenso Sabor a Tango at Aguijon Theater

A show full of passion which tugs at the heartstrings through dance, music and the interpretation of beloved songs. Read More

7/28 Chaka Khan in Concert at Millennium Park

See Chaka Khan live July 28 at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park! She’ll be celebrating her 40th anniversary in music and 60th birthday! Read More

7/28 Enanitos Verdes Concert

See Enanitos Verdes con nuevo disco Tic Tac, part of the House of Blues’ 20th Anniversary, with special guest Vilma Palma July 28! Read More