Arts & Entertainment
From a Circus in the Park to a Dolly Parton Jam Session, Here’s 6 Arts Picks for This Week
The annual Dance For Life showcase features 10 companies this year, including Trinity Irish Dance. (Chelsea Hoy)
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the dog days of summer actually ended on Aug. 11. So where are we now — the hot dog days? The dog-tired days? This week’s cultural offerings are a doggone delightful six-pack of opportunities both sublime and slightly silly.
Grant Park Music Festival Season Finale – Grant Park, of course
The fest concludes with concerts featuring “Carmina Burana,” thrilling music that will give you chills even if it’s 90 degrees outside. It’s a showstopper with everything — chorus, orchestra, soloists and children’s chorus. It’s also a favorite cantata of metal-heads and would’ve made fitting music for Ozzy’s funeral. This finale marks a grand conclusion to the first season under new artistic director and principal conductor Giancarlo Guerrero. Aug. 15-16
Conductor Giancarlo Guerrero. (Charles Osgood)
Dolly Parton Jam Session – Old Town School of Folk Music
Who doesn’t love Dolly Parton, and would they kindly step outside? This sing-along/play-along features hits like “Jolene” and “9 to 5” alongside lesser-known pearls by Parton. The Old Town School says it’s for both die-hard Dolly fans and the “Dolly-curious.” It’s also a preview of their upcoming Dolly Parton Songbook class from teaching artist Shelley Miller. Ninety minutes and free – but you must register. Bring an instrument, your voice, or a coat of many colors. Aug 16
Ice Cream Circus! – various city parks
Here’s one for kids or anyone with a sweet tooth for circus fun. Dancing, clowning and acrobatics fill a show that visits five Chicago parks in one week, beginning Sunday at Gill Park. Lookingglass Theatre and Actors Gymnasium are the players behind this high-flying story with a touch of magic. And the tale is told without spoken language, so it’s fine for wee ones of all ages and backgrounds. Part of the Park District’s Night Out in the Parks program. Aug. 17-24
Dance for Life – Auditorium Theatre
The annual showcase features 10 companies this year, and it’s your best chance to experience the dynamic breadth of Chicago dance all in one place. And since that place is the Auditorium, the variety of dance works will be framed by a magnificent setting. Ballet, Irish dance, tap, dance crews moving to Missy Elliott — it’s just a crazy amount of impressive humans in motion. This 34th annual show benefits the Chicago Dance Health Fund, and tickets start at $45. Aug. 16
“How to Transcend a Happy Marriage” – Redtwist Theatre
I’m a sucker for an intriguing title, and this one grabbed me. Redtwist Theatre gets an early start to their new season with a play by writer Sarah Ruhl, who grew up in the area and studied at Piven Theatre ages ago. Here she challenges the ideals of suburban life and considers what lies beyond the constraints of monogamy. Sounds like an icebreaker – either great for a first date, or, if you’re in the middle of a break-up, great for a last date. Through Sept 21
Fan Expo Chicago – Rosemont
If you like to occupy the same room and breathe the same air as actors and celebrities, see a doctor or just go to Fan Expo. This year there is a luminous lineup of TMZ icons: Orlando Bloom, Chevy Chase, John Cena, and – truly, there’s a ton of talented, beautiful people here. Brendan Fraser? Helen Hunt? Levar Burton? Check, check, and check. Plus, autographs, panel discussions and cosplay. If you want to make puppy eyes at Ewan McGregor or Jennifer Beals, here’s your chance. Aug. 15-17
Marc Vitali is the JCS Fund of the DuPage Foundation Arts Correspondent.
