Michael Shannon and Guy Van Swearingen in ‘Simpatico’
Photo: Michael Brosilow

STEEL SHOT Michael Shannon and Guy Van Swearingen in Simpatico

THE FIVE

Don’t-miss picks for Wed 7.3.13 through Tue 7.9.13:

1

theatre Simpatico
Dado directs a killer cast that includes Guy Van Swearingen and Michael Shannon (Man of Steel’s General Zod) in Sam Shepard’s twisting noir of fixed horse races, false identities, blackmail, and other nefariousness.
GO: 7/4–8/25. No tickets available until 8/3; $30–$60; student tickets $20. A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 W Wells. aredorchidtheatre.org
2

indie David Byrne & St. Vincent
You don’t want to miss this fab meeting of the minds. Alt-rocker David Byrne and baroque pop singer/songwriter Annie Clark aka St. Vincent perform songs from their joint LP Love This Giant.
GO: 7/6 at 7:30. $27–$65. Ravinia, 200 Ravinia Park Rd, Highland Park. ravinia.org
3

literature Pop-up Book Fair
It’s that time of year again, when the Empty Bottle partners with Curbside Splendor Publishing to showcase Chicago’s finest tomes fresh off the independent presses.
GO: 7/7 at 1. $5 or free with RSVP. Empty Bottle, 1035 N Western. emptybottle.com/show/3655814/
4

festivals Ribfest
Former Guns N’ Roses guitar man Slash headlines Naperville’s annual ode to the barbecued pig. In addition to the titular food item, there are carnival rides and fireworks.
GO: 7/3–7/7. Wed 4–10, Thu–Sun 12–10. Free to $15. Knoch Park, S West St, Naperville. ribfest.net
5

fireworks Navy Pier
Because America.                                                                                               
GO: 7/4 at 9:30. Free. 600 E Grand. navypier.com

WHAT I’M DOING THIS WEEKEND

Corey Wilkes
Photo: Ingrid Moreta

Corey Wilkes

Up next in our series of weekend plans from notable, in-the-know locals—a.k.a. people we like: Corey Wilkes, trumpeter and bandleader of the Corey Wilkes Quartet. He plays Jazz Showcase Friday, July 5–Sunday, July 7.

“Thursday is the start of the Chosen Few picnic. It’s a huge house party on the South Side at Hayes Park [and at The Shrine on Thursday]. I’m out of town a lot, so I get to see everybody from all walks of life.

“On Friday I have a show at the Jazz Showcase, the premiere jazz club here in Chicago. The showcase is like a listening room—there’s not a ton of talking and jostling going around.

“Saturday, I don’t have any particular plans besides my show because I’ve got family coming to town.

“Sunday morning, I’ll probably go to The Sip. It’s just a relaxing atmosphere, there’s more room than most coffee shops and they have neat espressos. Right before the matinee, I’ll probably be at Wildberry. They serve breakfast all day and their signature wildberry pancakes are really good.” —As told to Tomi Obaro

FREEBIE OF THE WEEK

music Ice and Nosaj Thing
Loops and Variations, the city’s new classical and electronic music festival, continues with this stellar pairing of the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE) with LA electronic music star Nosaj Thing.
GO: 7/4 at 6:30. Millennium Park, 201 E Randolph St. cityofchicago.org