Performing Arts Chicago and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago present this self-styled “convergence of Chicago artists,” running through April 26. Boasting Chicago first lady Maggie Daley as honorary chair, the avant-garde festival features more than 100 multidisciplinary presentations; participants include Plasticene Physical Theater, Theater Oobleck, the Curious Theatre Branch, Blair Thomas, Lucky Pierre, Free Street, David Kodeski, Sandra Binion, and others. All shows take place at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport; the sprawling arts complex is a hive of activity, with simultaneous performances and installations in its four studio theaters as well as lounges, hallways, stairwells, and other spaces. The fest also includes workshops and panels with participating artists at other venues as shown below. Prices for individual events range from $5 to $15, though workshops generally cost more and some events and installations are free; see listings for details. For tickets and more information, and to register for workshops, call Performing Arts Chicago at 773-722-5463. Tickets can also be purchased through Ticketmaster by calling 312-902-1500 or logging on to www.ticketmaster.com.
Sandra Binion’s video installation brings the sights and sounds of Venice to the Athenaeum stairwell. 7-11 PM; free.
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The Curious Theatre Branch presents a pair of world premieres. Jenny Magnus and Beau O’Reilly explore friendship in the “cabaret collaboration” Chumpstrap: A Madras Parable; Marianne Fieber’s one-woman show, Refracting Rainbows, is a meditation on grief and recovery. Athenaeum Studio 2. 7:30 PM; $15.
Spirits to Enforce
Leslie Buxbaum-Danzig and her theater company DOG based this production on The Birds by Aristophanes. Athenaeum Studio 4. 10 PM; $15.
SATURDAY, APRIL 5
