Apparently, next week is "free concerts with hip-hop legends week" in Chicago.
We already told you about the Samsung-sponsored Jay-Z show at the House of Blues on Tuesday; now Hennessy gets into the mix with an invitation-only event featuring Common and The Roots (who will also be serving as the house band) at The Shrine on Saturday, September 12. The show will also feature rockers Elevator Fight and Colin Munroe. Want to get on the list? WGCI 107.5FM is giving away tickets this week, and you can also enter to win spots on Hennessy's Facebook page and on www.okayplayer.com.
Make sure to keep an eye out for other upcoming shows on Centerstage's music calendar. Who knows, Nas could announce a free show at Sub-T before the week is out.
1. Visiting the Ukrainian National Museum of Chicago, which has more than 1,140 artifacts including traditional folk arts, agricultural tools, artwork, musical instruments and trophies. Then there are the decorated Easter egg collection; military exhibit and library with more than 20,000 titles in English and Ukrainian languages. The museum is at 2249 W. Superior. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday-Sunday (closed Monday-Wednesday). Admission: $5 for adults; free for kids 12 and under. Call (312) 421-8020.
2. Biting into homemade Ukrainian and Polish delicatessen cuisine at the many delis found throughout the leafy neighborhood. Pierogi, potato pancakes and breaded pork cutlets are staples as well as deli meats. Kasia’s Polish Deli, 2101 W. Chicago, has it all, plus foods from other countries such as China and Italy. Call (773) 486-6163.
Sam Prekop of The Sea and Cake performs behind the speaker stacks at the Empty Bottle.(Sun-Times file)
3. Checking out the neighborhood’s popular nightclubs. Rock, pop, punk, jazz and indie live music are always on tap at the Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western. The small, intimate club presents local emerging bands. Call (773) 276-3600.
HEY! YOU GOT THREE BETTER ONES?
Tell us your three favorite things about Ukrainian Village!
...we don't cause trouble, we don't bother nobody.
That's right folks, Slick Rick, aka Rick the Ruler, is back in town. The legendary rapper opens up brand-new South Loop club The Shrine with a live performance on Thursday night; DJ Jesse De La Pena supports. The special event (8 p.m.-2 a.m., $20 cover) offers a first look at the latest venture from Joseph Russo (Funky Buddha Lounge, Sinibar, Thyme).
If you go, watch out for cameras. Word has it that local filmmaker Konee Rok has been documenting The Shrine's creation for the past several months, so he's sure to be on scene to capture the action.
VIEUX FARKA TOURE
The son of the great Malian guitarist Ali Farka Toure kicks off his U.S. tour with a four-day residency at the Hideout. His father found the soul of the blues in Africa; his son has found that his Saharan roots are at home in everything from jam bands to Jamaican dub. At 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 6:30 p.m. June 5 and 9 p.m. June 6 at the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia. Tickets, $5-$15. Call (773) 227-4433; www.hideoutchicago.com. -- Mary Houlihan
COTTON JONES
Michael Nau and Whitney McGraw were both members of the popular Baltimore folk-pop band Page France. As Cotton Jones, they’ve turned to a lo-fi sound laced with rich melodies and a hint of country. They have been called “the indie-pop version of Lee Hazlewood and Nancy Sinatra.” Lightning Dust and the Dan Smart Field Auxiliary open at 10 p.m. Saturday at Schubas, 3159 N. Southport. Tickets, $10. Call (773) 525-2508; www.schubas.com. — Mary Houlihan
Back in the 1970s, long before anyone pitied the fool, there was a bouncer at the Chicago nightclub Dingbats named Laurence Tureaud. Today, that address (622 N. Fairbanks Court) is a pub called Timothy O'Toole's, and Laurence is better known as Mr. T.
In celebration of Mr. T's 57th birthday on Thursday, the staff of Timothy O'Toole's will be dressed in the garb the sweet-but-menacing T-man made famous: mohawks (OK, many will be faux-hawks), overalls and lots and lots of gold chains. The pub's chef, Sean O'Brien, has even created themed food and drinks — Mr. T appetizers, a B.A. Baracus Burger, a Mrs. T-ni Thunder Punch Cocktail — and there will be trivia games. (Q.On what TV sitcom did Mr. T play bodyguard to a spoiled rich kid?A. after the jump ...)
The Mr. T's Birthday Bash begins at 9 p.m. Thursday. Maybe he'll show up. We know he's around: Just a couple of weeks ago, our photographers caught him coming out of the Cook County Courthouse after serving jury duty ...
Glass Candy Thursday, May 7 at darkroom, 9 p.m.; $10 before 11 p.m. with RSVP to rsvp@outoforderchicago.com
If Blondie made sexy, smart, modern dance music, you'd have Glass Candy, this month's guest for Out of Order Chicago. Featuring soft, sexy female vocals (see "Beatific" and the remake of Kraftwerk's "Computer Love") over energized, layered beats, their songs are as suitable for the morning commute and gym as they are for the club. We couldn't be more excited for this live performance. DJs Total M, Trancid and Intel spin.
Jeff Tweedy announced that Wilco is offering a free download of their version of Woody Guthrie's "Jolly Banker" on its Web site. More Wilco is always a good thing! (via Chicagoist)
The only proper way to finish off the day is with some live music. Get on it!
Stussy X Stones Throw Tour Thursday, April 30 at Abbey Pub; $16 in advance, $18 at the door
Stussy sponsors the latest Stones Throw tour, which features Peanut Butter Wolf, James Pants, Dam-Funk and Mayer Hawthorne. Chicago hip-hop fans have been lucky enough to have the Stones Throw crew come to town pretty regularly as part of the Sonotheque Move events, but this tour is quite different and it's 18-plus. Peanut Butter Wolf is doing live video and DJ mixing; James Pants is playing a live set with his band, the Royal Zodiac, and Mayer Hawthorne and Dam-Funk will be playing eclectic records. To top it off, Stussy created limited-edition t-shirts and Stones Throw is coming out with music only sold on the tour. Visit Stussy.com to download an exclusive tour mix.
Ever wanted to meet a porn star? Now's your chance. The Chicago Sexpo (NSFW) returns to Excalibur tonight. In addition to appearances from adult film stars, the 21-plus event will include pole-dancing shows and three floors of exhibitors (toy shops, swingers clubs, dominatrixes, etc.). Tickets are $20, and will only be sold online, so get yours before 4 p.m.
We would include a picture to give you an idea of what you're in for...but, well, you know.
THROBBING GRISTLE
Arguably the most underground, cultish and heroic of all of rock's underground cult heroes, influential gender-bending British art/industrial noise-rockers Throbbing Gristle will play their first-ever shows in Chicago this weekend as part of a short, select and ultra-rare U.S. tour. The band will perform four sets at Logan Square Auditorium, 2539 N. Kedzie, at 7 and 10 p.m. Saturday (both sold out) and 7 and 10 p.m. Sunday (tickets remain for $20-$50). Call (773) 276-3600; www.emptybottle.com. -- Jim DeRogatis
For rabid Robin Thicke fans (is there any other kind?), Saturday night's concert with Jennifer Hudson at the Arie Crown Theater just won't provide enough access to the R&B crooner. Good thing Rednofive is hosting an intimate after-party, where Thicke will appear to promote his latest album, Something Else (no word on whether he'll be singing). Co-hosting the event will be another Robin popular around these parts, Fox News' Robin Robinson. There will also be a Devious fashion show, if you're into that.
Doors open at 10 p.m., and cover is $20. Want to know if it's worth it? This video (for "The Sweetest Love" should give you some idea...
TINARIWEN
It's impossible to resist being eternally seduced by the edgy, spellbinding Saharan R&B played by these Tuareg tribesmen who make their home on the edge of the vast desert. Their music became the soundtrack for Tuareg independence and reconciliation. At 7 and 10 p.m. Wednesday at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln. Tickets, $18-$22. Call (773) 728-6000; www.oldtownschool.org. -- Mary Houlihan
Fly By Night 2-Year Anniversary Party Thursday, April 16 at Debonair Social Club, 9 p.m.
It's hard to believe that it's only been two years since Fly By Night catapulted Willy Joy from obscurity to local DJ stardom (including a mention in the URB Next 100 and a gig at Lollapalooza), but this little party that caters to the young nightlife crowd is still going strong. To celebrate, Joy brings in Craze and Klever, two DJs that have mastered the hip-hop/dance/party-banger sound that made Fly By Night so popular. The party is 18+ and there's a free champagne toast from 9-10 p.m. with RSVP to info@debonairsocialclub.com.
Go ahead, say it: This sounds fierce! "Project Runway" winner Christian Siriano brings his spring and summer collections and his goofy-ass hair to the newly renovated Lumen on Saturday night for the Wicker Park boutique Bonnie & Clyde’s Love Games Fashion Show. Call Alison at (312) 733-2222 for table reservations. Free before 10:30 p.m. if RSVPing here. Cover is $20 thereafter.
WES AND EUGENE’S CABINET OF WONDERS
John Wesley Harding (left) and Eugene Mirman’s variety show features a different lineup at each stop. In Chicago, they welcome Dag Juhlin, Mark Bazer and additional guests for an evening of music and spoken word. Harding, who took his stage name from the Bob Dylan album, has a vibrant, offbeat musical style — sometimes moody and low key and other times hilariously dark and biting. Eugene Mirman is a New York City-based comedian, writer, actor and filmmaker. At 7 tonight at Schubas, 3159 N. Southport. Tickets, $20. Call (773) 525-2508; www.schubas.com. — Mary Houlihan
Madonna's not having a very good day today. Good thing her DJ's free — and spinning tonight in Chicago. As reports NBCchicago.com: "DJ Enferno comes to Chicago to appear at Fulton Market hot spot Lumen tonight. The D.C.-based DJ is known for his brand of mash-ups and his "Live Remix Project," which he refers to as a 'one-man symphony.' 9PM. RSVP to info@lumen-chicago.com for complimentary admission before 10:30PM; $20 thereafter."
LADYTRON
Over the course of four albums, from "604" (2001) through "Velocifero" (2008), the Liverpool electronic-pop quartet has shown considerable stylistic range and a consistently unerring ear for great hooks. They remain cult favorites, but favorites popular enough to headline two shows at Metro, 3730 N. Clark, with the Faint, Telepathe and Figo at 8:30 tonight and 6 p.m. Saturday. Tickets, $25. Call (773) 549-0203; www.metrochicago.com. -- Jim DeRogatis
Centerstage is giving away two free tickets to the Deadmau5 and Crookers show, April 11 at the Congress Theater. This is modern house/rave music at its finest, kids. Other acts include Late of the Pier, The Whip, Zebo, Willy Joy, Brad Owen, Loyal Divide and Noise/FloorCrew.
Be the first to email Centerstage with the subject line: Deadmau5 and you'll get your name plus one on the guest list. The show's 17+.
"Miles Raymer has tapped Stranger Waves as Best Rock or Pop Act for the Reader's Best of Chicago 2009 poll. Really? The best? Or was this an obscure/controversial choice by design to grab The Reader a little attention? Then again, maybe this was a much needed attempt to save the publication a little street cred after the audience poll resulted in a winner of Poi Dog Pondering (ouch!)."
Here's the video they offer as evidence — for or against?
