3CR’s Guide to a Better June

Stages Hubbard Street + Second City Present The Art of Falling June 9-19 @ Harris Theatre for Music and Dance, 205 E Randolph St Don't miss this encore performance of an innovative contemporary dance, improv and sketch comedy mash-up. Tickets start at $30 or $82 ($30 tickets may not be available for every performance). See Jane Sing June 17 and 18 @ the Chicago Lyric Opera Tickets range between $50 -$150 It’s well worth the cost to see acclaimed actor and comedian Jane Lynch’s cabaret show. She’ll be performing with Kate Flannery (the actress who played Meredith on "The Office") and the former musical arranger from "Glee." Chicago Rhythm Fest Finale June 4, 7:30pm @ the Auditorium Theatre Stomping Grounds, a six-program celebration of percussive dance, culminates with Chicago Rhythm Fest. The performance brings together five companies that explore percussive dance throughout different cultures. BAM!, Ensemble Español, Mexican Folkloric Dance, Muntu Dance and Trinity Irish Dance will take the stage. Tickets start at $28 and are on sale at AuditoriumTheatre.org, by calling 312-341-2300 and at the Auditorium Theatre's Box Office, 50 E. Congress Parkway. Discounts available for groups of 10 or more.   Screens 23rd Chicago Underground Film Festival @ Logan Theatre June 1-5, various showtimes This annual event showcasing independent, experimental and documentary films from around the world is billed as the longest-running underground film festival in the world. This year’s event will offer a mix of independent features, shorts, documentaries and experimental films, augmented by nightly parties and concerts. The opening night afterparty will take place at Elastic Arts Center immediately following the screening of Tony Conrad: Completely In The Present, featuring performances by Ben Baker Billington and Tony Conrad’s Drone Strings and a live film performance by Bruce McClure. See the 2016 Schedule. Czech That Film 2016 @ Gene Siskel Film Center June 3-30, various showtimes Provocative premieres in a variety of genres make up this series of eight recent films, including the comedy Chasing 50, centering on romantic shenanigans surrounding a cross-country ski race,  which opens the series. Director Štěpán Altrichter will appear on June 17 with his droll deadpan comedy Schmitke. A landmark of Czech animation is revived when author/filmmaker Ludmila Zeman presents a new restoration of her grandfather Karel Zeman’s unique Invention for Destruction. The festival also features national hero and former Czech president Vaclav Havel, who is profiled from a woman’s point of view in the documentary Vaclav Havel–A Life in Freedom. See the full schedule.  Brian De Palma: A Retrospective @ Music Box Theatre June 17 -23, various showtimes In honor of the new documentary De Palma, the Music Box celebrates the career of the distinctive and divisive director with special screenings of some of his most iconic films, including Phantom of the Paradise, Dressed To Kill, Scarface, Blow Out, Carrie, Body Double, Carlito’s Way, and a  70mm screening of Chicago’s own The Untouchables on June 22. (Most of the other screenings will be in 35mm.) Kartemquin Films 50th Birthday Party 8 to 11 pm, Friday, June 24, Harris Theater rooftop. Chicago's independent documentary filmmaker, Kartemquin Films, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with a series of events and screenings and a 50th anniversary party on June 24. The event will feature appearances by filmmakers and subjects from across Kartemquin's five decades. Tickets are $30 before June 6, $50 thereafter. https://vimeo.com/161967188   Art 8 Works by Nancy Pirri Opening Reception: 5:30-8pm Tuesday, June 7  The Cliff Dwellers Club, 200 S. Michigan Ave. Eight large works will be shown at the Cliff Dwellers Club, overlooking a spectacular view of Millennium Park. There’s an outdoor patio and a cash bar. Join the artist for a buffet dinner for an additional $25. (Advance reservations encouraged:  reservations@cliff-chicago.org With a Wink and a Nod: Cartoonists of the Gilded Age  @ the Driehaus Museum Opens June 25 at 40 E. Erie St. Hours 10am-5pm Tuesday-Sunday The exhibit features 74 original drawings created for Puck magazine, a pioneering 19th century political/literary/humor publication, plus published cartoons and vintage magazines. Museum admission is $20 for adults, $12.50 for students and seniors.   Music OA20 @ Elastic Arts June 14 - August 19 Elastic Arts will be celebrating Chicago's unconventional and ever-changing band, Joan of Arc, for their 20th anniversary. The exhibition will be as eccentric and varied as the band itself, showcasing a myriad of works by members and collaborators of the band, both past and present. There will also be a weekly performance of music, film or whatever Joan of Arc decides to do every Tuesday from June 21 to August 16. You can check out our full preview in our Music section.  Grant Park Festival June 15 - August 19 The festival begins Wednesday, June 15, at 6:30pm, with a performance of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, at Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion. Excellent, free concerts continue all summer long on Wednesday and Friday evenings, at 6:30pm, and Saturday evenings at 7:30, as well as the 4th of July concert.  June’s programs include works by Beethoven, Mahler, Chopin, Barber, Poulenc, Dvorak and Martinu. The concert on Wednesday, June 22, includes classical renditions of songs by Cole Porter, Elton John and Bernie Taupin’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Steve Tyler’s Dream On, Freddy Mercury’s Somebody to Love, and several others.   Lit Prologue, a literary cocktail party Friday, June 10, from 7-10pm, Parliament, 324 W Chicago Ave. $85 per person A night of signature cocktails, a live soul band, rooftop views, and special guest Peter Sagal of NPR’s “Wait Wait...Don’t Tell Me!” Hosted by 826CHI's Associate Board, Prologue will also feature hors d'oeuvres, an open bar, live poetry and a raffle of luxe prize packages. All proceeds will support 826CHI, a nonprofit creative writing and tutoring center that offers tuition-free literary arts programs to nearly 3,000 students each year. The Dollhouse Reading Series #50 Saturday, June 11: Doors Open at 7pm, reading starts around 7:30pm 2274 W Leland, Apt 1W The June reading features Tomás Q. Mórin, Abigail Zimmer, Davy Knittle and Tyler Cain Lacy. The Dollhouse is a unique salon style reading series in Lincoln Square. It’s curated by Dolly Lemke and Polly Amos, two local poets. It’s a free, byob reading hosted in a private residence (yes, someone’s apartment!). It’s been running successfully for five years and is in its very last days. July’s reading will be the very last, so get up to Lincoln Square on June 11 for one of your very last chances to experience this unique poetry venue. Printer's Row Lit Fest June 11-12 on South Dearborn Street and nearby venues Chicago's annual book festival celebrates literature by bringing in notable writers, and providing opportunities for local and independently published writers to convene. In addition to booths run by literary organizations and booksellers, there will also be panel discussions, music, and entertainment throughout the festival. Notable guests include R.L. Stine, Ethan Hawke  and Sarah MacLean.   Food Taste of Little Village: Flavors of Mexico - Chicago's Taste of Mexico Friday June 3 - Sunday June 5, 12noon to 10pm. daily, at 26th and Sacramento There will be authentic Mexican food from Chicago restaurants, music, carnival rides and  live cooking demonstrations featuring top chefs. Chicago Food Truck Festival Saturday, June 25 & Sunday June 26 11am to 7pm South Loop Green Space: 2400 S. State St. The event will include 40-plus food trucks, entertainment, games, shade and restrooms! Free entry with registration here.    Beyond Father's Day Canoe Adventure Chicago Botanic Garden Saturday, June 18, at 9am, 11am or 1pm and Sunday, June 19, at 9am $57 per person with a discounted price for members. This is exactly what it sounds like, go canoeing on Father’s Day at the gorgeous botanic gardens. No fathers or children required! “Herons, ducks, small fish, and maybe even a few turtles and frogs will greet you as we explore their watery habitat. No experience with canoeing is necessary; instruction, canoes, life jackets, and paddles are all provided for your hour-long adventure.” -Chicago Botanic Garden website