Arts & Entertainment
The ‘World’s Largest Karaoke’ and ‘SNL’ Stand-Up: 4 Arts Picks for Your Weekend
Salt Shed (16 On Center / John Bender)
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.
Chicagoans know a thing or two about savoring the season. We deal with blustery, snowy and impossibly frigid winters so we can truly appreciate the magical summers where the city comes alive. This summer, however, we’ve been dealt a weird hand weather-wise: more tornadoes than ever, wildfire smoke and what felt like weeks of extreme heat. After this week’s storms, which brought power outages, severe winds and even a handful of twisters, we’re going to dive into the weekend whatever the forecast. Below, WTTW News has compiled a handful of recommended cultural events in the arts world.
Art: “After Dark” — Jackson Junge Gallery
The latest exhibition at Wicker Park’s Jackson Junge Gallery documents the scenes, atmosphere and history of Chicago nightlife. “After Dark” boasts the work of 28 local artists who capture the essence of “both the well-known and the hidden corners of Chicago after the sun has gone down.” This will be on view until Sept. 27, but on Friday, the gallery is hosting an opening reception from 6-10 p.m. RSVP to the free event here.
Theater: “Crime and Punishment” — TUTA Theatre
Ravenswood Manor’s The Utopian Theatre Asylum (TUTA) condenses Fyodor Dostoevsky’s sprawling novel “Crime and Punishment” into a 90-minute play. Adapted by Marilyn Campbell and Curt Columbus and directed by co-artistic director Jacqueline Stone, it’s one of the most acclaimed local productions of the summer. So much so that its run has been extended to Sept. 4. Buy tickets here.
Comedy: James Austin Johnson — The Den Theatre
Alongside local comedian Sarah Sherman, James Austin Johnson has been one of the clear standout talents in the latest few seasons of “Saturday Night Live.” His impressions are consistently fantastic, whether he’s parodying the president or Bob Dylan. This weekend, he takes his stand-up act for several shows at the Den Theatre. Tickets are going fast, but you can still buy them for Saturday.
Music: World’s Largest Karaoke — Salt Shed
Two years ago, Salt Shed attempted to get into the Guinness Book of World Records by hosting the largest-ever karaoke party. They succeeded, drawing in more than 3,500 people to sing their favorite tunes in front of a large crowd. Salt Shed is looking to beat that total again this year and solidify Chicago as the “karaoke capital of the world.” The free event is this Saturday, but if you want to sing, you should RSVP here. Who knows — you could belt out a tune in front of 5,000 music fans.
WTTW News arts coverage is supported by the JCS Arts, Health & Education Fund of the DuPage Foundation.
