Photograph: Courtesy of Steppenwolf Theatre
 

HEADY PASSES Tarell McCraney returns to Steppenwolf with his new play Head of Passes

THE FIVE

Don’t-miss picks for Wed 4.10.13 through Tue 4.16.13:

1

theatre HEAD OF PASSES
Tapped as one of Chicago’s rising stars, playwright Tarell McCraney came barreling out of the gate with his 2010 hit The Brother/Sister Plays. This month he returns to Steppenwolf with Head of Passes, a new work set in Mississippi in the “distant future.”
GO: Through 5/9; $20–$78. Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N Halsted. steppenwolf.org
2

new music EIGHTH BLACKBIRD
This will be Chicago’s first bird sighting in quite a few months. The Grammy Award–winning group has spent much of 2013 touring the world, but this weekend the sextet lands at University of Chicago where they’ll perform the one-act opera Antigona Furiosa.
GO: 4/13 at 7:30; 4/14 at 3. $5–$25. Logan Center, U of C, 915 E 60th. chicagopresents.uchicago.edu
3

jazz HAVANA BLUE
River North Dance Chicago and Chicago Jazz Philharmonic turn up the heat in an evening of original live music and dance. The two groups bring the Cuban/Afro-Caribbean experience to the stage for the world premiere event.
GO: 4/13 at 8; $32–$76. Auditorium Theatre, 50 E Congress. auditoriumtheatre.org
4

classical B MINOR MASS
He may have canceled his winter residency, but Riccardo Muti is certainly making up for it this time around. The beloved artistic director will lead the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in Bach’s stunning B Minor Mass four times this month.
GO: 4/11–13 at 8; 4/16 at 7:30. $45–$275. Symphony Center, 220 S Michigan. cso.org
5

farrago CHIRP RADIO RECORD FAIR
Grabby hands unite at this one-day record haven where more than 50 regional vendors from as far as Maryville, Tennessee convene with their prized vinyl. Pay the extra $18 to slurp up Dark Matter coffee, Goose Island beers, and food from Irazu and Handlebar.
GO: 4/13 at 8 a.m.; Early admission $25, regular admission $7. Plumbers Hall, 1340 W. Washington. recordfair.chirpradio.org

WHAT I’M DOING THIS WEEKEND

Tom Robertello
Photograph: Japheth Bongwoo Roe

Tom Robertello

Up next in our series of weekend plans from notable, in-the-know locals—a.k.a. people we like: Thomas Robertello, owner of the West Loop gallery Thomas Robertello and flute professor at Indiana University. This Friday, Robertello’s gallery opens a new show Swing featuring work by artist John Delk.

“Tonight after I arrive back in Chicago—I split my time between here and Bloomington, Indiana—I’m taking our visiting artist John Delk to my favorite neighborhood restaurant Girl & the Goat. I love their goat belly, the scallops, and the braised pork shank.

“On Thursday, I’ll spend much of the day installing John’s new show Swing, which involves hanging TV monitors, cutting holes in the wall, setting a heavy block of ice that will slowly melt, and several other crazy things. His shows are never easy to install but they’re among the most interesting, thought-provoking work we show. Later in the afternoon I’m teaching a class at Roosevelt University where I am on the faculty part-time.

“Friday I’ll probably start the day at Little Goat. The Asian-style Kimchee, bacon, egg, pancake is so tasty. And the Fat Elvis waffles are delicious! Later that night John’s show opens, it’s his third at my gallery.

“I have to travel back to Indiana University on Sunday for one of my student's flute recitals—I also teach flute at Indiana University. It's a busy time for me: Two more weeks of school, then I make a new CD with Chicago harpist Maria Luisa Rayan-Forero, play a concert in Texas, and leave for a 6–7 month trip in Asia.” —As told to Elly Fishman

FREEBIE OF THE WEEK

art JEREMIAH HULSEBOS-SPOFFORD: HALL OF KHAN
If the neighing beasts in Jeremiah Hulsebos-Spofford’s show aren’t too distracting, three other exhibitions also open in the gallery. Chicago mixed media artist Elijah Burgher performs from 3:30–4 p.m., and there will be free crafts for kids from 1–4 p.m.
GO: 4/14 at 3. Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S Cornell. hydeparkart.org