Your Curated Chicago Weekend: 5/5-5/8
Happy Cinco de Mayo, everyone!
Or rather, happy insignificant Mexican holiday propped up by beer companies to get you to commercialize and appropriate Mexican culture for their benefit!
I sort of went off on the notion of Cinco de Mayo over at Paste, where I contribute regularly. I'd encourage you to read about some of the other holidays our alcohol industry should really be doing its best to co-opt. Meanwhile, if you're going out to have fun tonight, please keep things respectful. You can get hammered without caricaturing our southern neighbors. And you can definitely avoid saying things like "I love Hispanics!"
So here's what else is going on over the next four days:
THURSDAY, MAY 5TH
Zs Solo Sets @ Hungry Brain, 2319 W. Belmont Ave., 9:00 PM
WHAT: Experimental Brooklyn trio breaks off into solo sets for the evening.
SO WHAT: When I say experimental, I mean it. I’m personally not sure what to expect either, but Greg Fox is one of the most brilliant drummers performing today.
NOW WHAT: Show up at 9, bring ten bucks and an open mind.
FRIDAY, MAY 6TH
This Great Nation, Much Enduring @ Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., 8:15 PM
WHAT: Chicago Slam Works puts on a show about a small-town politician trying to make it to the big time. From their official synopsis: “This Great Nation, Much Enduring follows the path of the well-meaning presidential hopeful Senator Thomas Denton on his battle for traction in the middle of the country. As he meets the citizens of the tiny county of Dullish, he learns how in the endless cycle of war, politics and distraction, showmanship is king. Will he be up to the challenge to play the game? Or will his dignity and search for truth overrule his ambitions?”
SO WHAT: “Showmanship is king?” Well, this sure sounds relevant.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $20 online.
SATURDAY, MAY 7TH
Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble Presents A Piece of My Heart @ Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 1650 W. Foster Ave., 8:00 PM
WHAT: Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble concludes its 15th season dedicated to the woman’s voice, and its ongoing mission of “performance with a purpose,” with Shirley Lauro’s A Piece of My Heart, directed by CDE fellow Victoria Alvarez-Chacon.
SO WHAT: The play is about six women working in Vietnam during the War, and it’s been described by the Association of Vietnam Veterans of America as “the most enduring play on Vietnam in the nation.” Nothing like some good old-fashioned wartime drama and a reminder of the cost of American dominance in global politics and culture.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $15 online and $20 at the door.
SUNDAY, MAY 8TH
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard @ Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., 8:00 PM
WHAT: Fearlessly experimental Australian seven-piece King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard are set to rock Lincoln Hall with openers The Murlocs and Running.
SO WHAT: Besides the amazing name, you mean? KG+TLW (can’t type out that whole name again) have run the gamut from garage rock to bluesy psychedelia to jazz odysseys over the past half-decade. Who knows what this live experience will be like? You’ll be on the fringe of another boring week, so there’s nothing better than the exact antithesis of that on a Sunday evening.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are available for $14 here.