A scene from 'Sleepwalk With Me'
SLEEPWALK WITH ME A still from the comedian Mike Birbiglia’s new dramedy
Sleepwalk With Me.

THE FIVE

Don’t-miss picks for Wed 8.29.12 through Tue 9.4.12:

1

art MCA DNA: John Cage
While the contemporary music world has been celebrating the late composer John Cage’s centennial all year, this week the MCA honors his actual birthday (9/5) by opening an exhibit of more than 80 Cage-related items from their permanent collection.
GO: 9/1; free to $12. Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E Chicago. mcachicago.org
2

film Sleepwalk with Me
Mike Birbiglia, the self-deprecating stand-up-comedian-turned-movie-star tells a slightly fictionalized tale of frayed relationships, pushy parents, and a rare sleep disorder. Bonus: Ira Glass, the film’s co-writer and producer, will conduct a Q & A at the Friday and Saturday screenings.
GO: 8/31 and 9/1 at 2, 4:30, 7, 9:30; $12. Music Box Theatre, 3733 N Southport. musicboxtheatre.com
3

theatre Illegal Use of Hands
The recently retired Victory Gardens artistic director Dennis Zacek makes a rare appearance onstage in James Still’s world premiere about two small-town ex-football players out to settle a 20-year-old score.
GO: Previews 8/31–9/2 at 8; $10–$39. Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N Lincoln. americanbluestheater.com
4

folk The Lost Bayou Ramblers
Louis Michot’s got a inimitable howl and a home built from moss and mud. Basically, he’s Louisiana roots and culture to the core. The Southern man brings a little country to the city this week with a show at City Winery.
GO: 8/30 at 8; $10. City Winery, 1200 W Randolph. citywinery.com
5

theatre Chicago Fringe Festival
With 50 shows scheduled for the extended event, expect anything from acrobatic fighting to puppet parades. It's a celebration of Chicago’s most experimental thespians.
GO: 8/30–9/9. Times, locations, prices: chicagofringe.org

WHAT I’M DOING THIS WEEKEND

Edmund Chia
Edmund Chia

Up next in our series of weekend plans from notable, in-the-know locals—a.k.a. people we like: Edmund Chia, the founder and curator of the gallery, Peregrine Program. The Garfield Park gallery opens its first show of the fall, Did You See Heaven: WYSIWYG, 9/2 at 4 p.m.

“I just returned to Chicago from my summer vacation, so the first thing I intend to do on Thursday is go to Bite Café with my friend Dave Salkin. My favorite menu item is the breakfast taco, but the pulled pork sandwich comes a close second. I teach my first painting class of the semester at the Art Institute later that evening and will take my students to visit the Lichtenstein retrospective before it closes next Monday.

“Friday I’ll head to Chinatown to shop for mooncakes. This month is Mid-Autumn Festival, and the shops and bakeries have just brought in all their best cakes. I'm always on the lookout for the Green Tea flavored ones. After my search, I’ll probably end up at MingHin for dim sum. I love their shrimp and beef crepes, taro puffs, and egg tarts. All are to die for!

“If all goes to plan, I'll probably get my Saturday evening noodle fix at PingPong. Their spicy seafood noodles are quite simply the best in town. If I sit outside, I’ll order the cold peanut noodles and pair them with summer rolls and a sashimi tuna dip.

“Before I open the show on Sunday afternoon, I intend to do brunch at my new favorite restaurant in Garfield Park, Inspiration Kitchens. They serve regional cuisine with soul food flavors. There's a lot to choose from: pancakes, mushroom omelette, or pecan french toast. And I always order their basil lemonade!” –As told to Elly Fishman

FREEBIE OF THE WEEK

jazz Chicago Jazz Festival
There are plenty of acts to catch at the 34th annual Chicago Jazz Festival, but the multifarious musician Ken Vandermark is a must-see. He begins his three-day run as the fest’s resident artist in a joint performance with the music legend Joe McPhee.
GO: 8/31 at 5; free. Ganz Hall at Roosevelt University, 430 S Michigan. chicagojazzfestival.us

 

Photography: (BIRBIGLIA) Courtesy of IFC Films; (CHIA) Courtesy of Edmund Chia