It's the week of Memorial Day and I'm sure the sweltering weekend has you a bit tired. No worries, there are plenty of events this week where you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the air-conditioned nature of a movie theater. There are also readings, concerts, and comedy waiting for you if you’re looking for something more lively! Whatever your needs, Chicago has it.
So let's give your week a fresh start!
MONDAY & TUESDAY, MAY 28th & 29th
2001: A Space Odyssey in 70MM - 50th Anniversary @ Music Box Theatre, 3733 N Southport Ave, Various time, All Ages
WHAT: An “unrestored” screening of one of Kubrick’s masterpieces.
SO WHAT: Honestly, this is one of my favorite films ever made and it needs to be seen in 70mm. Don’t just take my word for it, go read
Steve Prokopy’s rundown of why you should see this original version the monumental film.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $14 for adults, $11 for kids. Showings are at 11:00am, 2:30pm, and 8:30pm on Monday and 1:20pm on Tuesday. These are your last chance to see this version of the film!
MONDAY, MAY 28th
Free Monday: Clearance / Fran / Ruins @ Empty Bottle, 1035 N Western Ave, 8:30pm, 21+
WHAT: Free local tunes on Monday!
SO WHAT: At this point your Mondays should forever hav a standing appointment with the Bottle. Tonight lo-fi enthusiasts
Clearance, bedroom rockers
Ruins, and amazing folk rock musician
Fran will be providing you with some excellent music and performances.
NOW WHAT: It’s free!
TUESDAY, MAY 29th
Duly Noted Music & Live Lit Show: “Heroes” @ On Tour Brewing Co., 1725 W Hubbard St, 7:30pm, 21+
WHAT: Another installment of
Duly Noted!
SO WHAT: On Tour Brewing Co. will be hosting for Duly Noted, a music and live lit show started by
Christina Brandon and
Dee Fuentes. The show welcomes all kinds of music styles and stories on a theme. There will be live music by Sean Wilson and true stories on the theme of “Heroes” from Nicolle Neulist, Anne Abel, Paul Teodo, Sean Wilson, Suzanne Faber, Abby Dryer, Mikala Hansen, and Sam Pinkon!
NOW WHAT: The show is free but donations are collected to benefit a local, non-profit organization. This month, it’s Open Books of Chicago.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 30th
Derek Hess "31 Days In May" Book Signing & Art Show @ Galerie F, 2415 N Milwaukee Ave, 6:00pm - 10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: Derek Hess continues the discussion about mental illness by honoring Mental Health Awareness Month with the release of his new book,
31 Days In May: A Visual Journey.
SO WHAT: In May of 2017, Hess posted a daily image to his social media outlets that showcased his ongoing battle with bipolar disorder and substance abuse. This turned into
31 Days In May, over 150 pages containing over 120 Derek Hess images, some never before published, with a foreword by Dr. Joseph Calabrese, Director of the Mood Disorders Program at the University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. Hess will be doing a book signing and art show for this fantastic tome.
NOW WHAT: Entry is free, but be sure to purchase a copy of this great book as a portion of all book sales on this tour stop will be donated to
Hope for the Day
Logan Hardware Records Night: Pop Up Shop + Caravan of Sounds @ Logan Arcade, 2410 W Fullerton Ave, 7:00pm, 21+
WHAT: The last Wednesday of the month is Logan Hardware Records’ Night: Pop-Up record shop and Caravan of Sounds- with a rotating cast of (Hardware & Arcade) customers, friends & staff DJing throughout the night!
SO WHAT: This month, the ladies are representing the DJ crew while Logan Hardware’s Pop Up Shop will be selling their incredibly diverse selection of vinyl LPs &45s, cassettes, VHS tapes, $1 records, and Vinyl Mystery packs!
NOW WHAT: Entry is free! Check out the rest of the goings on at the event!
Silly Goose @ Goose Island Taproom, 1800 W Fulton St, 7:00pm - 10:00pm, 21+
WHAT: Comedy and beer under one great pun
SO WHAT: The Goose Island Taproom is now open on Wednesdays, so that means there is a spot for the Silly Goose Comedy Hour to take over! This hour long showcase, hosted by Tyler Thirnbeck and Chris Mcintyre, will be full of great performances featuring local Chicago comedians and $3 Old Man Grumpy’s!
NOW WHAT: Stop by, have a few laughs and enjoy an OMG!
Miss Spoken - Fangirl @ Gallery Cabaret, 2020 N Oakley Ave, 7:00pm -9:00pm, 21+
WHAT: Miss Spoken is a storytelling show featuring work by the female-identified.
SO WHAT: Hosted by Rosamund Lannin and Jasmine Davila, this edition of Miss Spoken will center on the theme of Fangirl! The lineup of readers will include Megan Kirby, Anne Abel, LeeAnn Yops, Keidra Chaney, and Kathleen Rooney@ Come out to hear some amazing stories!
NOW WHAT: There is a $5 suggested donation, all proceeds go to the readers
Hamlet, presented by National Theatre Live @ Music Box Theatre, 3733 N Southport Ave, 7:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: Benedict Cumberbatch takes on the title role of Shakespeare’s great tragedy,
Hamlet.
SO WHAT: Seen by over 750,000 people worldwide, the original 2015 NT Live broadcast returns to the Music Box. It’s a beautifully surreal presentation of Shakespeare’s tale.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $15 for this showing!
Tennessee Williams Staged Reading @ Raven Theatre, 6157 N Clark St., 7:30pm -20:30pm, All Ages
WHAT: Raven Theatre is hosting a staged reading of
Something Unspoken, a Tennessee Williams short play from his “Garden District” one-acts, set in New Orleans’ Garden District. Raven is currently running its production of
Suddenly Last Summer, the companion play to
Something Unspoken. Both plays premiered off-Broadway in 1958. Raven will hold a wine reception in the lobby before the reading.
SO WHAT: Miss Cornelia Scott is a grand, Southern woman whose outer extravagance belies inner insecurities. She has a complex, codependent relationship with her secretary, and during an election for the leadership of a local organization, their tensions reach a tipping point. Jake Freund is directing the reading, which will feature Maggie Cain and Heather Branham Green.
NOW WHAT: Readings are pay-what-you-can with a suggested donation of $10. No reservations required. Doors open at 7pm. See our review of
Suddenly Last Summer, which runs until June 17.
Jonesy Tapping and Alien Screening @ Landmark Century Centre Cinema, 2828 N Clark St., 7:30pm
WHAT: Beer and a movie!
SO WHAT: Jonesy is Off Color Brewing’s American Wild Ale with Buddha’s Hand zest. It’s named in honor of the USCSS Nostromo’s only surviving feline. The brewery will be tapping this Mousetrap original outside their taproom for one of the only times before screening
Alien at Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema.
NOW WHAT: Tickets for the movie are $10. Xenomorphs will not be allowed entry.
Arc Iris & Good at Bad @ The Hideout, 1354 W Wabansia Ave, 9:00pm, 21+
WHAT: Awesome music at an equally awesome venue
SO WHAT: Arc Iris are a phenomenal band. Their first album was a eclectic menagerie of sounds ranging from cabaret, 70s singer songwriter, and much more. Their second album,
Moon Saloon,saw there sound mature with intensity and boldness that has made for an excellent listen. Joining them on their Chicago stop will be the local soulful voice of
Good at Bad!
NOW WHAT: I can’t recommend this show enough.
Go see these amazing bands for only $10!