APRIL 2014    Bookmark and Share 

   

Join DCASE this month for FREE entertainment - including concerts and exhibit-related programs at the Chicago Cultural Center! Come share your ideas about public art in Chicago at our second Public Art Town Hall Meeting. Learn who's performing at this summer's Chicago Blues Festival and headlining the Chicago Jazz Festival. And stay up-to-date on upcoming festivals, events and opportunities by joining the conversation on social media.

  

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in this issue
Third Coast Percussion
Third Coast Percussion performs Sunday, April 13 at 3pm at the Chicago Cultural Center, presented as part of the Loops and Variations series at Sunday Salon. Hailed by The New Yorker as "vibrant" and "superb," Third Coast Percussion explores and expands the extraordinary sonic possibilities of the percussion repertoire, delivering exciting performances for audiences of all kinds. Since its formation in 2005, this Chicago-based percussion quartet has gained national attention with concerts and recordings that meld the energy of rock music with the precision and nuance of classical chamber works. FREE. For details, click here.

 

R WE WHO R WE performs live at Chicago Cultural Center
R WE WHO R WE A special Loops and Variations evening concert on Thursday, April 24 at 6:30pm presents the electronic duo R WE WHO R WE, comprised of composer-performers Ted Hearne (voice, vocal processing) and Philip white (mixer feedback, electronics). A tribute and commentary to both classic and ephemeral artists of the pop landscape, R WE WHO R WE samples the mash-up style of Girl Talk and the experimental methods of Merzbow, using pop music like graffiti uses public space, exploiting the tension between theft and tribute, much as collage artist John Oswald did 30 years ago with his seminal and mischievous album, Plunderphonic. The evening concert takes place in Claudia Cassidy Theater at the Chicago Cultural Center. FREE. For details, click here.

Don't miss these Chicago Cultural Center exhibition programs in April

Jan Tichy: aroundcenter Jan Tichy: aroundcenter - Public Programs

 

Young Chicago Authors, Remix the Chicago Cultural Center
Young Chicago Authors (YCA) poets will Remix the Chicago Cultural Center using found text in the architecture of the building as a construction site for new poems about the current and future state of Chicago culture. This New Chicago Cultural Center Remix project is facilitated by poet and Artistic Director Kevin Coval and YCA teaching artist and poet Jamila Woods. FREE. April 19 at 11:30am in Randolph Square, Chicago Cultural Center.

 

Chicago Documentaries
After visiting the Chicago Rooms to see Changing Chicago 2014 curated by Tichy, come witness the changing cityscape of Chicago and the landmark buildings with various documentaries such as Moving Pictures created for CITY 2000. FREE. April 27 at 2-4pm in the Claudia Cassidy Theater, Chicago Cultural Center.   

 

 

Mecca Flat Blues - Public Programs

 

Mecca Flat Blues The Battle for the Mecca: Lecture by Thomas Dyja

One square block on the Near South Side inspired both Gwendolyn Brooks' greatest poem and one of Mies van der Rohe's finest structures, S.R. Crown Hall. Thomas Dyja will explore this half-acre of confluence and connection, where Chicago's past met its future in ways that touched race, urban planning, politics, poetry and architecture. Mr. Dyja is a Chicago-born author whose book, The Third Coast: When Chicago Built the American Dream, won the Chicago Tribune's 2013 Heartland Prize for non-fiction and was named one of the New York Times' 100 Notable Books of the Year. FREE. April 8 at 12:15pm in the Sidney R. Yates Gallery, Chicago Cultural Center.

 

Chicago Green Light Exchange presents "The Bally Hoo!" feat. The Fat Babies

"The Bally Hoo!" is a step back in time. The 1930s found itself bouncing back from the Great Depression, and looking to the period's entertainers to show them that, indeed, "Happy Days Are Here Again." The Bally Hoo! is a page out of the floor show entertainment of the period, complete with an amazing hot jazz band, The Fat Babies; the lovely and whimsical Galaxie Girls; a chanteuse with style and grace, Amanda Wolff, and plenty of invitations to get up and dance with the band. FREE. April 27 at 2-4pm in the Sidney R. Yates Gallery, Chicago Cultural Center.

 

Share your ideas about public art at our second Public Art Town Hall Meeting

Jaume Plensa's Crown Fountain in Millennium Park  photo Patrick Pyszka Join us for the second of two Public Art Town Hall Meetings this spring on Wednesday, April 30 at 6pm, at the Washington Park Arts Incubator (301 E. Garfield Blvd.). You will learn about the Chicago Cultural Plan and the City's public art program as well as best practices from other cities. Participants will also have an opportunity to brainstorm ideas in a smaller group setting, discussing the role of public art in our city, temporary public art projects, new genres of public art, funding ideas for public art and other topics. RSVP at cityofchicago.org/dcase - or share your thoughts about public art via civic dialogue platform Textizen by texting "public art" to 773.769.7987. (Standard text rates apply. DCASE will not sell or share phone numbers. For more information, visit textizen.com/privacy.) FREE. For event details, click here.  

 

35 Years of Public Art And don't miss the 35 Years of Public Art exhibition at the Chicago Cultural Center, currently on view through May 4. Public programs include Gallery Talks on Tuesday, April 8 and 15 at 6pm and a special Meet the Artists event on Friday, April 25 at 5:30-7:30pm. FREE. For exhibit details, click here.

Maurice Joshua
Maurice Joshua is a Grammy� Award winner for best remix recording, known for his popular production work with Beyonc� Knowles. Joshua will remix the dance floor on April 4 at noon.

One of Chicago's up-and-coming footwork producers is DJ Manny. Mentored by the renowned footwork DJs, DJ Spinn and Rashad, DJ Manny has proven to be footwork's youngest in charge. DJ Manny will supply his dance grooves on April 18 at noon.  

 

Wired Fridays takes place at the Chicago Cultural Center. FREE. For details, click here.

 

Lullabies, jazz, high-energy dance are featured in Juicebox series for the "stroller set"

Juicebox

Chicago-based Lucky Plush Productions is known for its unique blend of complex choreography, surprising humor and high-energy performances that are enjoyed by all ages. Lucky Plush's work is interactive and has been hailed by the Chicago Tribune as "a terrific odyssey, full of amusing, varied and tireless dancing by a troupe of dancers who ably double as comics."

 

  • Friday, April 4 at 11am - Chicago Cultural Center, Preston Bradley Hall
  • Saturday, April 5 at 11am - Garfield Park Conservatory, Horticulture Hall

Joann Cho is a Chicago-based pianist, composer and educator. Cho will perform Elaeth Songs, music inspired by the birth of her son that includes lullabies, songs about play and arrangements of jazz tunes, among others. The collection of new pieces for solo piano features a number of Chicago-based composers, but also national and international composers and arrangers.  

  • Friday, April 18 at 11am - Chicago Cultural Center, Preston Bradley Hall  
  • Saturday, April 19 at 11am - Garfield Park Conservatory, Horticulture Hall

FREE. For more information about Juicebox, click here.

 


Clarke House presents history symposium - Virtue & Vice: Reform in Early Chicago

Virtue & Vice - Reform in Early Chicago Prostitution. Political corruption. Racial and ethnic eiscrimination. Drunkenness and poverty. Rioting in the streets. Vice districts. Peer into Chicago's past and uncover the social ills that plagued our growing city in the mid-nineteenth century at the 4th Annual Clarke House Museum History Symposium, Virtue & Vice, on Saturday, April 26 from 9am-5pm at the Coach House of the Glesner House Musuem at 1800 S. Prairie Ave. Learn about reformers' efforts to clean up early Chicago with presentations by four noted historians. Exhibits of related artifacts from the Clarke House Museum and LaBarre Family Collections will also be on display throughout the day. You won't want to miss this intriguing look at Chicago's struggle to reign in vice and instill virtue as the young city, and our nation, came of age in Chicago's early years. Reservation details:

 

$30 per person (includes parking, breakfast and lunch refreshments)
$25 for students, Museum volunteers, docents and Colonial Dames  

 

Limited seating. Pre-paid reservations requested. For details, click here or call 312.326.1480.

 

See the Chicago premiere of "Men of the Cloth," a film about Italian master tailors

Men of the Cloth Men of the Cloth, a film by Vicki Vailopoulos, is an inspiring portrait of three Italian master tailors ("humble men who make exalted clothing") who confront the decline of the apprentice system as they navigate their challenging roles in the twilight of their career. The film unravels the mystery of their artistry and reveals how their passionate devotion to their Old World craft is akin to a religion. The film had a sold-out world premiere at DOC NYC, the largest documentary film festival in the U.S.

 

The Chicago premiere is presented by Columbia College Chicago, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and the Mayor's Fashion Council with Nicholas Joseph Custom Suits and Oxxford Clothes on Monday, April 28 at 5:30pm in Claudia Cassidy Theater at the Chicago Cultural Center. There will be a panel discussion immediately following the screening at 7:15pm. FREE. For details, click here.

 

FashionChicago� Designer Shopping Event coming in May

FashionChicago� Designer Shopping Event
Shop until you drop at this tented shopping event in Millennium Park featuring more than 30 of Chicago's top apparel, jewelry, handbag, shoe and accessories designers. The FashionChicago� Designer Shopping Event takes place Saturday, May 3  from 10am-6pm and Sunday, May 4 from 11am-5pm at Chase Promenade North in Millennium Park. For details, click here.



The Chicago Department of Cultural Fashion Focus Chicago Sidewalk Sale Affairs and Special Events presents the eighth annual Fashion Focus Chicago Sidewalk Sale at Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St. The two-day shopping event on Tuesday, July 22 and Wednesday, July 23 from 9am to 3pm, will be the perfect place for fashion enthusiasts and bargain shoppers to shop until they drop with the assortment of affordable apparel and accessories to choose from by Chicago designers and independent boutiques. Applications for vendors will be available Monday, April 7 and due Friday, May 9, 2014. For details, click here.

Let's go fly a kite! Save the date for Chicago Kids and Kites Festival

Chicago Kids and Kites Festival
An annual spring tradition, the Chicago Kids and Kites Festival returns to Cricket Hill in Lincoln Park (Montrose and Wilson) on Saturday, May 3, 10am-4pm. FREE kite kits for children to build, decorate and fly their own unique kites will be provided while supplies last. Families can also purchase kites on site at the Kite Harbor booth and enjoy professional kite flying demonstrations and learn tips on how to fly a kite.

The festival will once again include the Big Kite Candy Drop, a pi�ata-like kite filled with candies that drop from the sky. Other activities include face painting, balloon artists and keepsake kite-shaped crafts. FREE. For details, visit chicagokidsandkites.us.

 

Complete line-up announced for 31st Annual Chicago Blues Festival

Billy Boy Arnold, Sam Lay, Nikki Hill
The Chicago Blues Festival full line-up is set for three days of "Blues by the Lake" in Grant Park, June 13-15. The 31st annual festival will feature the finest blues music featuring headliners Carolina Chocolate Drops, Otis Taylor Band and a special celebration commemorating the centennial of John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson featuring Billy Boy Arnold and The Siegel-Schwall Blues Band with Sam Lay. Also headlining, Theo Huff, Willie Clayton, Bettye LaVette, Nikki Hill, Aaron Neville and Dr. John on the Petrillo Music Shell stage.

The FREE admission Chicago Blues Festival is open from 11am-9:30pm daily with music throughout Grant Park. Stages include the Petrillo Music Shell, Bud Light Crossroads Stage, The Jackson Rhythm and Blues Stage and the Pepsi Front Porch. For the full line-up, visit chicagobluesfestival.us.

 

For program updates, join blues fans on Facebook and Twitter, @ChicagoDCASE (#ChiBluesFest).

 

 

 

Terence Blanchard, Rufus Reid, Gary Burton, Dave Holland, Cecile McLorin Salvan and Sur Ra Arkestra to headline the Chicago Jazz Festival

Terence Blanchard
It's never too early to start making plans to attend the FREE admission 36th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival. The favorite Labor Day Weekend tradition will take place at the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington St.) and in Millennium Park (201 E. Randolph St.), August 28-31, showcasing the very best of Jazz music from noon to 9:30pm daily. Millennium Park headliners include: Terence Blanchard, Rufus Reid, Gary Burton, Dave Holland, Cecile McLorin Salvant and the Sun Ra Arkestra. For information, visit chicagojazzfestival.us. The complete schedule will be announced at a later date.

DCASE accepting applications for art fair vendors at Gospel Music, Jazz festivals

Art Fair at the Chicago Jazz Festival in Millennium Park
The Chicago Jazz Festival Art Fair will take place Friday, August 29 through Sunday, August 31 in Millennium Park's Wrigley Square - from 11am to 9:30pm daily. (This is an outdoor event and will take place rain or shine.) For application and information, including fees, please visit chicagojazzfestival.us. Applications must be postmarked by April 7.



The Chicago Gospel Music Festival Art Fair & Marketplace at the Chicago Gospel Music Festival Art Fair is Saturday, June 28 and Sunday, June 29 in Ellis Park, located in Chicago's beautiful Bronzeville neighborhood. (This is an outdoor event and will take place rain or shine.) For application and information including fees and requirements for vendors and community partners, please visit chicagogospelmusicfestival.us. Applications must be postmarked by April 11.  

 

3Arts working with DCASE Cultural Grants Program to benefit local artists

3Arts
3Arts is a Chicago-based, nonprofit organization that advocates for Chicago's women artists, artists of color and artists with disabilities who work in the performing, teaching and visual arts. One of its key programs, 3AP, has historically offered project support through crowdfunding to 3Arts past awardees and residency fellows. This year, 3Arts is working with DCASE to expand the 3AP program to help more Chicago artists build momentum in their careers. The most recent DCASE Individual Artists Program (IAP) grant recipients who also fit the mission of 3Arts received invitations to participate in 3AP on a first-come first-served basis during the year following the receipt of their grant. Click on the links below to support and learn more about the work of a few DCASE 2013 IAP grantees.

 

Ladonna Freidheim: http://3arts.org/projects/reinventing-joy-disability-dance-workshop/ 

 

George Bajalia: http://3arts.org/projects/magic-carpet-story-music/   

 

To learn more about our Cultural Grants Program, click here.

 

Creatives at Work Music Forum: The DJ/Selector and Sharing in the Digital Age

Joe Bryl
Please join DCASE Creative Industries - Music office, Chicago Music Commission, and Chicago Artist Coalition on Tuesday, April 15 as CAR Music Researcher J. Johari Palacio moderates an informal discussion with some of Chicago's seasoned music curators Joe Bryl, Duane Powell and Scott McNiece. The forum is from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the Chicago Artist Coalition, 2317 N. Carpenter Street.

Topics include the Internet's role in sourcing music; analog versus digital; bloggers and music journalism; the DJ technique over selection; making money and sharing music with peers/audience. We will have some sonic selections from the DJ's as well as light apps and beverages. Click here for more info and to RSVP.


City Seal, Mayor Rahm Emanuel  DCASE logo
More To Do - April and Beyond