Thursday's concert at Constellation features Morton Feldman Chamber Players exploring the connections between Morton Feldman and Samuel Beckett through performances of Beckett’s texts and Feldman’s music.
Constellation's Friday evening's double bill features Bill Orcut, guitarist and founder of the 90s duo (and, later, trio) Harry Pussy, and violinist Austin Wulliman performing music by Iannis Xenakis, and Lee Hyla. His program will feature guest appearances, as well, by vocalist Kayleigh Butcher and bassoonist Katherine Young.
Saturday night's Constellation concert features the Quince Contemporary Vocal Ensemble presenting music by Luis Amaya, Kate Soper, Daniel Dehaan, Fjòla Evans, Travis Weller, Gilda Lyons, Richardo Zohn-Muldoon. The second half of the evening features two works for short wave radio and voices by Olivia Block performed by Quince and Carol Genetti.
The Saturday afternoon concert at the Art Institute of Chicago will feature violinist Miranda Cuckson performing a program that includes works by Brian Ferneyhough, Pierre Boulez, Steve Lehman, and Huang Roa. The show is $10, $5 for museum members/students.
Sunday's concert will wrap up the festival at Constellation with Dal Niente's "Hard Music, Hard Liquor," a no-holds-barred program of solo pieces by Joan LaBarbara, Mark Andre, Iannis Xenakis, and Ray Evanoff - plus a world premiere "multi-sensorial" ensemble work by Murat Çolak.
NOW WHAT: Tickets for the Constellation shows are $15 a piece or you can get the $40 festival pass, which gives you access to all the shows at Constellation. So get on it and experience this wonderful event.
THURSDAY THROUGH SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16th - 18th
Dunn Dunn Fest @ Venues Throughout Chicago
WHAT: Music, Music, and hey look, more music!
SO WHAT: Dunn Dunn Fest is returning for its fifth year of celebrating American Music. Over these three days, venues including The Hideout, Lincoln Hall, Schubas, Beat Kitchen, Subterranean and Tonic Room will be hosting a bevy of amazing performers doing what they do best. Highlights include Xoe Wise with Tara Terra and V.V. Lightbody on Thursday at Subterranean, another Thursday night show as The Kickback with Color Palette and OOPS take on Beat Kitchen, Birdcloud with Sonny Falls and Archie Powell and the Exports at Schubas on Friday, and Dos Santos: Antibeat Orquesta with ¡ESSO! Afrojam Funkbeat and DJ Sound Culture over at The Hideout.
NOW WHAT: Honestly, there are too many shows to name individually. I highly suggest you check out their full lineup and got to some of these amazing shows.Tickets range from $10 to $25, so hit up a few shows and have a musically inclined weekend!
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16th
Drink & Draw @ Rotofugi Designer Toy Store & Gallery, 2780 N Lincoln Ave., 7:00PM - 9:00PM
WHAT: BYOB drawing in a toy store/gallery
SO WHAT: Mary Ruth Butterworth will be hosting a fun evening of drawing, sketching and doodling! You can participate in the creative outlet while enjoying your favorite adult beverages, BYOB. No matter what skill level you reside at, all are welcome!
NOW WHAT: Grab your favorite drink of choice and enjoy it responsibly while partaking in some creativity!
FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16th - 19th
Fool's Paradise Photograph by Cheryl Mann
The Joffrey Ballet’s “Game Changers” @ Auditorium Theatre, 50 E Congress Pkwy, Friday and Saturday at 7:30PM, Saturday and Sunday at 2:00PM
WHAT: Three contemporary ballets to fill your dance needs
SO WHAT: The Joffrey Ballet’s “Game Changers” brings together three unique ballets under the same bill. "Game Changers" will feature two returning ballets: Fool’s Paradise by Tony Award winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon (creator of Joffrey’s brand new Nutcracker) and Wayne McGregor’s INFRA, which was created after the London subway bombings of 2005 and features a 59-foot LED screen above the stage displaying urban images. The third ballet will be the Chicago Premiere of Justin Peck’s Year of the Rabbit inspired by the Chinese zodiac set to an orchestral version of Sufjan Stevens' electronic album Enjoy Your Rabbit,
NOW WHAT: Tickets start at $34 for this trio of sublime ballets.
Unseen @ The Gift Theatre, 4802 N Milwaukee Ave., Friday and Saturday at 7:30PM, Sunday at 2:30PM
WHAT: The World Premiere of a new play
SO WHAT: The Gift Theatre kicks off its 2017 Season with the world premiere of Mona Mansour’s play Unseen! The play tells the story of "conflict photographer Mia as she wakes up in the Istanbul apartment of her on-again, off-again girlfriend after being found unconscious at the scene of a massacre she was photographing. Mia can’t even remember being there, but she wired photos of the site hours before being found. The two women resume their volatile push-pull when Mia’s well-meaning Californian mother arrives from the United States, trying to help unravel the mystery of what happened to her daughter."
NOW WHAT: Tickets range from $30 - $40 for this show. You can purchase them online or by calling the Gift’s box office at 773-283-7071
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17th
Logan Arcade's 3rd Anniversary Party @ Logan Arcade, 2410 W Fullerton Ave., 5:00PM
WHAT: The warm glow possible only from a few drinks and arcade games
SO WHAT: Celebrate Logan Arcade's 3rd anniversary of drinking and arcade games with a big party. They will be unveiling more than 10 new games to the public that you've never seen at the bar. There will be plenty of driving games, fighters, shoot 'em ups, pinball cabinets, multiplayer games and way more.
NOW WHAT: Make your way to the bar and prepare for a fun night. Remember, game and drink responsibly.
River Whyless / OHMME / Luke Callen @ Empty Bottle, 1035 N Western Ave., 9:00PM
WHAT: An eclectic night of great music
SO WHAT: River Whyless are touring in support of their latest album, We All The Light, a collection of baroque folk songs that will surely fill the Empty Bottle with its beauty. Joining them will be the folk stylings of Luke Callen and the experimental soundscapes of Chicago's own OHMME. Any show with OHMME on the bill is a show worth going to!
NOW WHAT: Tickets for the 21+ show are $12!
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18th
Winter Record Label Fair @ Empty Bottle, 1035 N Western Ave., Noon - 4:00PM
WHAT: Local sounds on every format
SO WHAT: Chicago's own Eye Vybe Records, local collective The Benevolent Order of Chicago Record Labels (BOCRL), and the Empty Bottle are coming together to put on a Winter Record Fair. You'll get a chance to browse some of the best local (and beyond) catalogs of music on vinyl, cassette and CDs!
NOW WHAT: It's free, so don't sleep on this great opportunity to pick up some great music.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19th
Neighborhoods of the World @ Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave., Noon
WHAT: An opportunity to experience different cultures
SO WHAT: Navy Pier will be celebrating the diversity of Chicago’s communities with the seven-week series Neighborhoods of the World. This annual cultural tribute is presented in collaboration with community arts organizations, consulates and museums in an attempt to bring the beauty of the world into everyone's lives. Each week will feature a different culture as its theme, letting attendees enjoying lively folk music, traditional dance, cuisine, and crafts from the various ethnic Chicago communities. This weekend's cultural theme will be a celebration of Poland!
NOW WHAT: This event is free and open to the public, so head to the Crystal Gardens and let a little part of the world into your life!
Aqua Teen Hunger Force Dinner @ HQ Beercade, 213 W Institute Place, 1:00PM - 4:00PM
WHAT: A themed meal for the Adult Swim lovers
SO WHAT: Headquarter Beercade will be taking inspiration from Aqua Teen Hunger Force for four themed courses by chef Scott Donaldson. Each course, which includes names of the characters and "I Wanna Rock Your Body Wings," will be accompanied by specialty beer pairings from Revolution Brewery.
NOW WHAT: Tickets for this tasty meal are $42.
Dunn Dunn Fest @ Venues Throughout Chicago
WHAT: Music, Music, and hey look, more music!
SO WHAT: Dunn Dunn Fest is returning for its fifth year of celebrating American Music. Over these three days, venues including The Hideout, Lincoln Hall, Schubas, Beat Kitchen, Subterranean and Tonic Room will be hosting a bevy of amazing performers doing what they do best. Highlights include Xoe Wise with Tara Terra and V.V. Lightbody on Thursday at Subterranean, another Thursday night show as The Kickback with Color Palette and OOPS take on Beat Kitchen, Birdcloud with Sonny Falls and Archie Powell and the Exports at Schubas on Friday, and Dos Santos: Antibeat Orquesta with ¡ESSO! Afrojam Funkbeat and DJ Sound Culture over at The Hideout.
NOW WHAT: Honestly, there are too many shows to name individually. I highly suggest you check out their full lineup and got to some of these amazing shows.Tickets range from $10 to $25, so hit up a few shows and have a musically inclined weekend!
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16th
Drink & Draw @ Rotofugi Designer Toy Store & Gallery, 2780 N Lincoln Ave., 7:00PM - 9:00PM
WHAT: BYOB drawing in a toy store/gallery
SO WHAT: Mary Ruth Butterworth will be hosting a fun evening of drawing, sketching and doodling! You can participate in the creative outlet while enjoying your favorite adult beverages, BYOB. No matter what skill level you reside at, all are welcome!
NOW WHAT: Grab your favorite drink of choice and enjoy it responsibly while partaking in some creativity!
FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16th - 19th
Fool's Paradise Photograph by Cheryl Mann
The Joffrey Ballet’s “Game Changers” @ Auditorium Theatre, 50 E Congress Pkwy, Friday and Saturday at 7:30PM, Saturday and Sunday at 2:00PM
WHAT: Three contemporary ballets to fill your dance needs
SO WHAT: The Joffrey Ballet’s “Game Changers” brings together three unique ballets under the same bill. "Game Changers" will feature two returning ballets: Fool’s Paradise by Tony Award winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon (creator of Joffrey’s brand new Nutcracker) and Wayne McGregor’s INFRA, which was created after the London subway bombings of 2005 and features a 59-foot LED screen above the stage displaying urban images. The third ballet will be the Chicago Premiere of Justin Peck’s Year of the Rabbit inspired by the Chinese zodiac set to an orchestral version of Sufjan Stevens' electronic album Enjoy Your Rabbit,
NOW WHAT: Tickets start at $34 for this trio of sublime ballets.
Unseen @ The Gift Theatre, 4802 N Milwaukee Ave., Friday and Saturday at 7:30PM, Sunday at 2:30PM
WHAT: The World Premiere of a new play
SO WHAT: The Gift Theatre kicks off its 2017 Season with the world premiere of Mona Mansour’s play Unseen! The play tells the story of "conflict photographer Mia as she wakes up in the Istanbul apartment of her on-again, off-again girlfriend after being found unconscious at the scene of a massacre she was photographing. Mia can’t even remember being there, but she wired photos of the site hours before being found. The two women resume their volatile push-pull when Mia’s well-meaning Californian mother arrives from the United States, trying to help unravel the mystery of what happened to her daughter."
NOW WHAT: Tickets range from $30 - $40 for this show. You can purchase them online or by calling the Gift’s box office at 773-283-7071
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17th
Logan Arcade's 3rd Anniversary Party @ Logan Arcade, 2410 W Fullerton Ave., 5:00PM
WHAT: The warm glow possible only from a few drinks and arcade games
SO WHAT: Celebrate Logan Arcade's 3rd anniversary of drinking and arcade games with a big party. They will be unveiling more than 10 new games to the public that you've never seen at the bar. There will be plenty of driving games, fighters, shoot 'em ups, pinball cabinets, multiplayer games and way more.
NOW WHAT: Make your way to the bar and prepare for a fun night. Remember, game and drink responsibly.
River Whyless / OHMME / Luke Callen @ Empty Bottle, 1035 N Western Ave., 9:00PM
WHAT: An eclectic night of great music
SO WHAT: River Whyless are touring in support of their latest album, We All The Light, a collection of baroque folk songs that will surely fill the Empty Bottle with its beauty. Joining them will be the folk stylings of Luke Callen and the experimental soundscapes of Chicago's own OHMME. Any show with OHMME on the bill is a show worth going to!
NOW WHAT: Tickets for the 21+ show are $12!
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18th
Winter Record Label Fair @ Empty Bottle, 1035 N Western Ave., Noon - 4:00PM
WHAT: Local sounds on every format
SO WHAT: Chicago's own Eye Vybe Records, local collective The Benevolent Order of Chicago Record Labels (BOCRL), and the Empty Bottle are coming together to put on a Winter Record Fair. You'll get a chance to browse some of the best local (and beyond) catalogs of music on vinyl, cassette and CDs!
NOW WHAT: It's free, so don't sleep on this great opportunity to pick up some great music.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19th
Neighborhoods of the World @ Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave., Noon
WHAT: An opportunity to experience different cultures
SO WHAT: Navy Pier will be celebrating the diversity of Chicago’s communities with the seven-week series Neighborhoods of the World. This annual cultural tribute is presented in collaboration with community arts organizations, consulates and museums in an attempt to bring the beauty of the world into everyone's lives. Each week will feature a different culture as its theme, letting attendees enjoying lively folk music, traditional dance, cuisine, and crafts from the various ethnic Chicago communities. This weekend's cultural theme will be a celebration of Poland!
NOW WHAT: This event is free and open to the public, so head to the Crystal Gardens and let a little part of the world into your life!
Aqua Teen Hunger Force Dinner @ HQ Beercade, 213 W Institute Place, 1:00PM - 4:00PM
WHAT: A themed meal for the Adult Swim lovers
SO WHAT: Headquarter Beercade will be taking inspiration from Aqua Teen Hunger Force for four themed courses by chef Scott Donaldson. Each course, which includes names of the characters and "I Wanna Rock Your Body Wings," will be accompanied by specialty beer pairings from Revolution Brewery.
NOW WHAT: Tickets for this tasty meal are $42.