Arieb Azhar
AZHAR AND HIS GUITAR Arieb Azhar (above) brings a mix of Pakistani folk and
Irish ballad traditions to the Old Town School of Folk Music.

THE FIVE

Don’t-miss picks for Wed 7.4.12 through Tue 7.10.12:

1

folk Arieb Azhar
When was the last time you heard a good eclectic Pakistani singer who cites Irish ballads, Sufi poets, and Croatian gypsy tunes? If it’s been too long—or never—Azhar is your man.
GO: 7/7 at 8; $16–$20. Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N Lincoln. oldtownschool.org
2

festivals Sleepy Hollow Fourth of July Festival and Fireworks
This fest, including live entertainment and a pie-eating contest, starts at 11:30 a.m. in this wooded village, which claims to have one of the best fireworks displays around. The show begins at 9:15 p.m., when you can be the judge.
GO: 7/4; $5 suggested donation. Sabatino Park, Winmoor and Willow, Sleepy Hollow. sleepy-hollow.il.us
3

pop Fiona Apple
The singer-pianist-problem-child makes a rare appearance coinciding with a new record—her first in seven years. Expect a mix of soul-baring singing, jittery rock, and worrisome behavior.
GO: 7/10 at 7:30. $45–$75. Chicago Theatre, 175 N State. ticketmaster.com
4

theatre Death And Harry Houdini
If you haven’t seen Dennis Watkins replicate Harry Houdini’s infamous water escape, you need to rectify that. And the rest of Watkins’ performance as the legendary magician isn’t too shabby, either.
GO: Previews 7/7–8; $40. Regular run through 8/17; $40. House Theatre of Chicago at Chopin Theatre, 1543 W Division. thehousetheatre.com
5

galleries Indirect Observation
Three artists play with “notational processes” (in other words: work based on things they notice or remember) in Indirect Observation. Andy Moore creates hand-drawn stories with downtrodden characters, Sally Agee uses collaged materials to build books, and Courttney Cooper illustrates mind-blowing maps of his hometown, Cincinnati.
GO: 7/7–8/18. 119 N Peoria, 2A. westernexhibitions.com

WHAT I’M DOING THIS WEEKEND

Eliza Myrie
Eliza Myrie

Up next in our series of weekend plans from notable, in-the-know locals—a.k.a. people we like: Eliza Myrie, a Chicago-based artist with pieces currently in Local Metrics: Majeed, Mooses, and Myrie at the Logan Center for the Arts and Skyscrapers: Art and Architecture Against Gravity at the MCA.

“My studio is in Rogers Park, so on Friday evening I’ll probably take the bus down to Landmark Century on Clark to see the film Beasts of the Southern Wild. I’ll definitely have a paleta in hand because, with the hot weather, paletas are something I indulge in. After the film, I’ll head back north and stop by Simon’s Tavern on Clark. I love it because it’s low profile and within walking distance of my house and my friends.

“On Saturday I’ll visit Hyde Park to see Dawoud Bey’s show, Picturing People, at the Renaissance Society. When I'm down there, I like to eat at the great little college places on 57th street like Z&H Market or Medici Café.

“In the afternoon I’ll come up to Montrose Beach. I’ll probably stop at Urban Orchard on Clark Street. It’s a useful extension of Andersonville's Wednesday farmers market. They locally source everything. At the beach, my friends and I will most likely grill into the evening. Later we might check out Acre where the bartenders are super knowledgeable and can tell you about whatever you’re drinking.

“Sunday might be a consumer day. There are lots of vintagey stores in Andersonville. I particularly like Milk Handmade, Village Discount, and Marguerite Garden.” –As told to Elly Fishman

FREEBIE OF THE WEEK

museums From the Land of the Morning Calm: Traditions of Korean Art
This new show, culled from the Smart Museum’s collection, traces Korean painting, calligraphy, sculpture, and handicrafts from the Bronze Age to the present day.
GO: 7/5–9/9. Open Tue-Sun 10–5. U of C, 5550 S Greenwood. smartmuseum.uchicago.edu

 

Photography: (ARIEB AZHAR) Shahzad Ali Mirza; (MYRIE) Jessie Mott