Last night, Brother Ali stopped by Metro (fulfilling a longtime dream in the process, he told the crowd) for one of the final shows of the Fresh Air tour with Evidence, Toki Wright and DJ BK One. The noticeably slimmed-down MC put on an inspired performance, offering songs from his fantastic new LP, "Us," as well as many older selections. Our favorite aspects of the show:
1. The earnest vibe. Many rappers talk about how their music is all about love, but when Ali says it, you actually believe it. This was a guy who just seemed so damn happy to be able to share his stories with the audience for an hour or two. While this earnestness can become a little tiresome on record, it only enhances the live experience. One of the night's most powerful moments came during "Forest Whitaker," which you might call the rapper's theme song. As a video with various people holding signs proclaiming what they didn't like about themselves (e.g., "My smile is crooked," "I have a big belly") played in the background, Ali (who's albino) delivered feel-good lines like "To everyone out there who's a little different / I say damn a magazine, these are God's fingerprints."
2. They came to rap. Don't assume from the above that this was just one big love-fest. The night featured some hardcore lyricism, and, in Ali's case, there was no need for the now-ubiquitous hype man. Through songs like "Blah Blah Blah," political rant "Uncle Sam Goddamn" (updated to call out Obama for not bringing home the troops) and the straight ridiculous boast track "Bad Mufu**er Pt. 2," the rapper proved he can entertain all on his own, and showed why he's the rising star of the Rhymesayers label (challenging Atmosphere for supremacy).
Ali's labelmates acquitted themselves well, too. Evidence (of longtime L.A. group Dilated Peoples) entertained with a set that showcased his lyrical chops and his sense of humor on songs like "The Cold Weather" and "Letyourselfgo," and Toki Wright also impressed with a thunderous, complex rhyming style. BK One, who was behind the decks for the entire three-plus-hour show, got his moments in the spotlight as well, and made us want to hear more from his Brazilian-influenced debut LP, "Radio do Canibal."
3. The awkward dancing. You know it's a truly rockin' show when even the most rhythmically challenged attendees have no qualms about shaking their bodies. And from our vantage point in the balcony, we saw several fans getting into the act, from the guy in the VIP section waving his fist in a vaguely Arsenio-Hall inspired way to a girl doing hula-hoop moves without the hoop. We need more of this at Chicago shows.
Want to find more great shows? Visit Centerstage Chicago for a full calendar of upcoming concerts.
Every January, Schubas invites music fans to explore cutting-edge indie music in its annual Tomorrow Never Knows series. Think of it as a loosely packed, five-day-long Pitchfork Music Festival.
Well, for those of you hoping for more of the same this year, we've got some news: it won't be. Instead of five days of music at a single venue, you'll get it at two venues: Schubas and the newly opened Lincoln Hall is also getting in on the action.
The dates (Jan. 13-17) and initial lineup for the series were announced today, and single-show tickets and five-day passes go on sale Friday, November 13 at noon. Here's a taste of what's in store:
Wednesday, January 13
9 p.m.: The Cribs, Adam Green, The Dead Trees (Lincoln Hall)
Thursday, January 14
9 p.m.: Voxtrot, Solid Gold, Gemini Club (Lincoln Hall)
Saturday, January 16
2 p.m.: Paul Green's School of Rock presents Women Who Rock (Schubas)
10 p.m.: Final Fantasy (Schubas)
10 p.m.: Bowerbirds, The Rural Alberta Advantage (Lincoln Hall)
Sunday, January 17
2 p.m.: Paul Green's School of Rock presents Women Who Rock (Schubas)
9 p.m.: Clues (Schubas)
9 p.m.: Lee Fields & The Expressions (Lincoln Hall)
Artwork by Sergei Isupov looks over Navy Pier's Festival Hall during SOFA setup Wednesday. (Al Podgorski/Sun-Times)
SOFA Chicago Through Sunday at Navy Pier; $15-$25
Celebrating its 16th year, the Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fair hits Navy Pier's Festival Hall to present work from top international galleries and dealers. Check out the opening night preview gala on Thursday ($50) to get a first glimpse at the show's best work. Hors d'oeurves and wine are included. Tickets for the rest of the show are $15 a day, or $25 for a three-day pass. Get them here or at the door. More: Check out the Sun-Times' SOFA photo gallery.
The Rocky Horror Show 8 p.m., through Saturday at the Athenaeum Theatre; $20
Do the Time Warp (again!) at this live theater production of the musical cult classic, with shows running through Halloween night. Dress up as your favorite character (and who wouldn't take the opportunity to emulate Meat Loaf as much as possible?), but leave the props at home. There are special goodie bags you can buy at the theater to join in on the action.
Are you a fan of college humor? No, not the hilarious comedy site -- the real thing. The third annual College Improv Tournament -- created by Jonathan Pitts, executive producer of the famed Chicago Improv Festival -- begins November 7 with the Midwest Regional at pH Productions's Studio Be Theater (3110 N. Sheffield). Ten teams, including Illinois State's Improv Mafia (last year's champion) and University of Illinois-Urbana's Kaboot, will compete in matches all day long (noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., with the finals at 10 p.m.), and you can view the action for just $10-$15. That's a small price to pay to witness the potential next big thing.
If you only care about the Chicago schools, you've got some time. The local regional, featuring nine teams from seven Chicago colleges and universities, has been rescheduled to January 23, 2010. We know a website you can waste time on 'til then.
Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers 8 p.m. Thursday at Cadillac Palace Theatre; $37-$75
The longtime funnyman drops the standup routine for a five-string banjo at this leg of a nationwide tour for charity. He's joined by the Steep Canyon Rangers, who are regulars on Grand Ole Opry. And did you know Martin now has three Grammys to his name -- two for comedy albums and another for his collaboration with Earl Scruggs on Foggy Mountain Breakdown in 2001.
The Holy Hour House Band performs at The Kerryman.
Yesterday's news that the city may cancel or shorten several of its biggest summer festivals came as something of a shock, even if it makes good fiscal sense. Seriously, if the 50-year-old Venetian Night can be chopped, is nothing sacred?
You'd better have a backup plan to get your fest fix. We're not sure where else you can go to see boats loaded up with lights, but we do know of two upcoming ways to dull the blow in case (god forbid) the Celtic Fest is ever sent back to the Emerald Isle.
One: Magners Irish Sessions. This series of concerts sponsored by Magners Irish Cider, which began last month, features the city's best known traditional Irish musicians playing songs in intimate settings (plus, lots of cider). Upcoming events:
Friday, October 23: The Holy Hour House Band, 9-11 p.m. at Chicago Gaelic Park, 6119 W. 147th, Oak Forest
Thursday, October 29: Danny Burns and The Defectors, 8-10 p.m. at Mystic Celt
Friday, October 30: Danny Burns and The Defectors, 9-11 p.m. at Hidden Shamrock
Thursday, November 5: Danny Burns and The Defectors, 8-11 p.m. at Abbey Pub
Two: iBAM!. Did you know the Celtic New Year is coming up soon? Celebrate it with three days of books, arts and music at the Irish American Heritage Center.
It starts with a $100 black-tie-optional dinner (6-11 p.m.) on Friday, October 30, with entertainment from the likes of Malachy McCourt and Black 47. On Saturday and Sunday, the fun continues, with a $5 admission fee getting you access to book sales, panel discussions, live dance, theater and more (11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily). Because it is Halloween weekend, expect a costume parade, face painting and a presentation on the life of Bram Stoker (writer of Dracula). You'll need to pay a little extra for access to the full Irish breakfast (11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday) and concerts from Black 47 (7 p.m. Saturday) and Maura O'Connell (7 p.m. Sunday). Tickets are available on the website.
For many people, when you say the word wings, they think "buffalo sauce." (Ok, maybe some think "Sandpiper Airlines," but they watch too much TV.) But Rockit chef James Gottwald is different. To him, a chicken wing is simply a blank slate, to be slathered with any creative sauce he can concoct. At least, that's the way he thinks during Wingfest, the weeklong ode to the chicken wing running October 19-23 at Rockit's River North and Wrigleyville locations.
The out-of-the-box flavors available all week long include truffle and foie gras (truffle butter-tossed chicken wings with foie gras gravy), sweet chile & lime (with lime wedges and soy sauce), lemon grilled wings (with wild oregano, garlic and feta fondue), pomegranate port wine (with mango dipping sauce) and, for the traditionalists, "Nuclear" (tossed in super spicy buffalo sauce). Each variety costs $10 per dozen wings. Because wings of any flavor go well with beer, there will also be $3 drafts of Goose Island Harvest Ale available throughout the week.
8 Bold Souls are among the many jazz acts performing on Saturday.(Photo: via www.aacmchicago.org)
Hyde Park Jazz Festival Saturday in Hyde Park; free
This 14-hour, multi-venue event is like a marathon for music fans, and, like any long race, the true rewards are near the finish line, with exciting performers like 8 Bold Souls, Garaj Mahal and Dee Alexander. Remember to pace yourself and stay hydrated as you travel to unlikely music spots like the International House of Chicago, Hyde Park Bank and Little Black Pearl Art and Design Center.
Dirty Sanchez and his pals are sure to put on an entertaining show on Friday.
Lucha Va Voom 8:30 p.m. Friday at Congress Theater, $25-$60
If you like your Mexican midget wrestling with a splash of skin (and who doesn't?) this event is for you. Top-ranked luchadoritos battle it out in the ring while scantily clad burlesque dancers provide entertainment between matches. Now that's what we call entertainment.
Michael Jackson Birthday Tribute Friday at Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club
While everyone else has been busy honoring the King of Pop's death, Kit Kat takes a night to celebrate his birth and life. The evening will feature Kit Kat's "Diva" Traci Ross, performing as both Michael and Janet Jackson, along with special appearances by Michael's "friends" Liza Minnelli and Liz Taylor. Kit Kat's "Black & White" martinis are $5, and the first 50 guests will receive a limited edition Kit Kat/MJ sparkled glove.
Hey, kids, want some classes you can actually look forward to this fall? Here's an idea: Sign up for some performing-arts training at Studio BE, the new Lakeview facility offering instruction for kids ages 6-18. The fall schedule sounds a lot more exciting than your average AP course load, with options like body building for actors, improvisation and tap/ballet. Classes begin September 8 and run for eight weeks. Registration is open now<(a href="http://www.studio-be.org">www.studio-be.org, (773) 248-5900); rates run from $89/class until September 1, so get your parents to shell out soon.
While you're checking out the school, make plans to see a show by Studio-BE's resident company, pH Productions (pHrenzy PG might be the way to go for you young'uns). Who knows, if you keep up with those classes, you could be on stage with these hilarious improv-ers one day. Either way, it'll be better than whatever family activity your mom could dream up.
The next two weeks are a very good time to have a badass mustache.
This Saturday, Lakeview party joint Uncle Fatty’s Rum Resort hosts “Fatty’s Fan Favorite Party,” honoring its fan favorite cover band, ’Stache.
The band will play starting at 8, and mustache homages will include fake mustaches given out at the door, 100 bucks for the person with the best real ‘stache and Cubs tickets for the best fake ‘stache. The bar will also serve $4 Dos Equis bottles (normally $5) and 32-ounce “Bone Fish” fishbowls (rum, OJ, cranberry juice, grenadine) will be $6.
But the ‘stache party is just getting started. Join the Young Irish Fellowship Club on August 29 for “The ‘Stache Bash” pub crawl in Wicker Park. Participants are encouraged to grow out their finest cookie dusters and party for a good cause (namely the Maeve McNicholas Memorial Foundation to fight pediatric brain tumors, the Matthew Lee Bailey Foundation, the Michael J. Murphy Music Scholarship Fund and Raising Awareness, which supports MS awareness).
The crawl costs $20 and kicks off at Pint at 12:30 p.m., followed by Wicker Park Tavern (2-3 p.m.), Northside (3:15-4:15), Cans (4:30-5:30) and Lottie’s Pub (until 8 p.m.). There will be specials at each bar, and you gotta imagine anyone who can grow out a halfway decent handlebar deserves a free drink or three.
Remember when your brother or sister had a birthday party, and your parents gave you a little gift so that you wouldn't feel left out and throw a tantrum? Think of The Pony's one-year anniversary bash as its attempt to avoid the tears and include you in the celebration.
After all, it's not like you did anything to deserve all the treats on offer this weekend - like $4 Coronas and $5 Stoli cocktails tonight at 9 p.m., and complimentary Miller Lite and Coors Light (plus passed appetizers) from 8-10 p.m. (and $4 SoCo lime shots and 16-ounce Silver Bullets all night long) on Saturday. So don't you dare stamp your feet and whine when the bartender takes a little too long to look in your direction.
To some, tater tots recall days of lunch in the school cafeteria. To others, they're the world's most perfect food. We're guessing the creators of this Saturday's Tater Tot Trot are in the latter group. The third annual event (theme: "Let Fried Tots Shine") will include visits to four tot purveyors along the Southport corridor -- including 2008 Golden Tater Award winner Newport Bar & Grill. If you think you're an expert on crispy potato goodness, well, you shouldn't be anywhere else. The schedule:
And you thought the yogurt-shop craze was over. Lines are sure to forming outside the new Lakeview location of Red Mango on Saturday, August 8, if only for the free samples. The shop will be giving away a free small original yogurt (it's probiotic!) with one topping to each customer who stops by between 4 and 7 p.m. We can't think of a more delicious way to spend 100 calories.
