Friday 6/20 – Thursday 6/26
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In 1982 an informal group of musicians spontaneously put on the first Fete de la Musique in Paris. Nowadays the annual summer solstice event is overseen by the ministry of culture and protected by the police, and it has spread to 100 countries. Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs launched its own version, Miles of Music, last year. It runs from 11 AM to 6 PM today at 20 sites along Michigan between Jackson and Oak and includes performers ranging from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Brass Ensemble to Las Guitarras de Espana to the Polkaholics. Call 312-744-6630, visit www.877chicago.com, or see the music listings for a complete schedule.
Flamboyant, tormented artist Frida Kahlo died in 1954 at the age of 47. Her last moments are the focus of the multimedia performance piece La Casa Azul, named for the Mexico City house in which the painter spent most of her life. Created by director Robert Lepage and playwright Sophie Faucher and performed by Lepage’s Quebec City company Ex Machina, the show opens tonight at 8 in its Chicago run and continues through Sunday, June 22, at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport. Tonight’s performance will be followed by a free talk with members of Ex Machina. Tickets range from $29 to $35; call 773-722-5463 or see www.pachicago.org for more.
24 TUESDAY “In the shadows of what remains of Cabrini Green, / cars line up, obedient, snaking / into sink-holed streets, salt-smudged from last / snow’s fall.” So begins Larry O. Dean’s poem “Gold Coast Hand Car Wash,” which appears in his new chapbook, Identity Theft for Dummies. “That phrase, ‘identity theft,’ just seems to be everywhere these days,” Dean says in a press release. “Coupling it with the very popular ‘For Dummies’ series just seemed to come natural. Plus, I thought it would sell!” The local cartoonist, journalist, singer, songwriter, actor, and poet will read from Identity Theft at tonight’s free release party, which starts at 8 at Quimby’s, 1854 W. North (773-342-0910). For more see www.larryodean.com.
