Arts & Entertainment
Expo Chicago and Comedy From a ‘Wait Wait...Don’t Tell Me!’ Writer: 4 Arts Picks for Your Week
Mohanad Elshieky (John Carafo)
Every Thursday, WTTW News newsletter producer Josh Terry highlights his picks for the week’s must-see cultural events.
Daily Chicagoan, the newsletter from WTTW News, sends these picks to your inbox each week along with more essential recommendations from our staff. Sign up here.
If you go to the doctor, there’s a good chance they’ll tell you to eat healthier and have a well-rounded, balanced diet. They’d likely recommend fruits and veggies, that you aim for high-fiber foods, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats to get all your essential nutrients to go about your day. There is no such thing as an “arts doctor,” but if there was, they’d tell you to diversify your portfolio of culturally enriching fare. Thankfully, Chicago has that in spades. Below is a small sampler of culture events ranging from art and comedy to film and theater.
Art: Expo Chicago — Navy Pier
Since 2012, Expo Chicago has showcased a wide variety of global artists and galleries across several immersive installations. Now in its 13th year, Expo returns to Navy Pier’s Festival Hall for several days of exhibits, talks, on-site installations and public art initiatives from April 9-12. This year, the festival is partnering with the forthcoming Obama Presidential Center, whose director, Louise Bernard, is curating a section called “Focus.” It’s “inspired by the architecture and commissioned artists of the Obama Presidential Center.” For more information and tickets, click here.
Comedy: Mohanad Elshieky — The Den Theatre
Mohanad Elshieky is a New York City-based comic who was born in Libya and has appeared on “Conan,” “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” Comedy Central and more. He’s also an in-demand scribe who used to work for the popular podcast “Lovett or Leave It” and now serves as a writer/consultant for NPR’s “Wait Wait...Don’t Tell Me!” Perceptive and biting, his humor touches on politics, identity, being an immigrant in America and more. He plays Wicker Park’s Den Theatre on Friday, and tickets can be found here.
Film: Chicago Palestine Film Festival — Gene Siskel Film Center
From WTTW News: The Chicago Palestine Film Festival runs April 11-25 at the Gene Siskel Film Center and includes several post-screening Q&As and additional encore screenings. This year, the festival has more than 50 films in its lineup, including feature and short films. The volunteer-run festival aims to promote the work of Palestinian filmmakers and those making films about the Palestinian territories; to push back against negative stereotypes and images of Palestinians and Arabs in media; and to provide a space for Palestinians to see themselves on screen, according to executive director Nina Shoman-Dajani. For more information, click here.
Theater: “Maybe Tomorrow” — Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
The Wild Door Theater presents the Midwestern premiere of Max Mondi’s “darkly funny and unsettling” new play “Maybe Tomorrow.” Directed by Andrew Gallant, it promises to be “a gripping, meta-theatrical puzzle that explores marriage, perception and the unnerving human need to be seen.” This production opens April 13 and runs through May 24. Tickets can be found here.
WTTW News arts coverage is supported by the JCS Arts, Health & Education Fund of the DuPage Foundation.
