Welcome back to Chicago's Tuesday culture roundup, a quick and dirty guide to what's opening, closing, and buzzing in local arts each week. Note that this isn't a curated event list like Chicago's in-print Go Listings or weekly Chicago Guide—just a roundup of what's coming, going, and breaking throughout the city. Got a tip, quibble, or sweet nothing? Let us know in the comment section.
News
Joe Swanberg's new film premieres at Sundance, is immediately purchased
Local mumblecore guru Joe Swanberg's new film Digging for Fire premiered at Sundance last week, and has since been acquired by the Orchard for US distribution. It is reportedly his best work yet. [Indiewire]
Kris Swanberg also kills it at Sundance
As if one star director in the family wasn't enough, Kris Swanberg—Joe's wife—also premiered a film, Unexpected, at Sundance. The film was near-unanimously beloved, and has the director poised for a breakout. [Variety]
A new Chicago-built website aggregates online song premieres
Into It. Over It. bassist and Soundsupply creator Tim Mortensen recently launched a new website, Debuts, which aggregates the myriad song premieres in various nooks of the Web each week. [Reader]
CPS English teacher wins Youth Media Award
Author and Taft High School English teacher Jessie Ann Foley's first YA novel The Carnival at Bray was yesterday named a Printz Honor Book by the American Library Association. [Tribune]
Dick Gregory gets a Hollywood star
Comic and political activist Dick Gregory has been awarded the 2,542th star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. [NBC.]
Vic Mensa features on a new Kaytranada song
Haitian-Canadian producer Kaytranada last week shared the second single from his forthcoming LP, featuring verses by Vic Mensa. Stream it below.
Chance the Rapper no longer working with James Blake, and is now working with Andre 3000
In two recent magazine features—a cover story in Fader and a boot-centric spread in GQ —Chance the Rapper revealed that he's shelved his project with James Blake for undisclosed reasons, but that Andre 3000 will join Frank Ocean and J. Cole on his forthcoming LP (no release date).
Oshwa premieres a new song
Oshwa singer Alicia Walter has shared a new song, "Haze," by way of Constellation's I Hear Voices showcase. The thing is a heartbreaker, and bodes well for the self-proclaimed art-pop darlings' forthcoming LP (no release date).
Chief Keef and Lil Durk end beef, release new collaboration
After a stint of Twitter-slamming and diss-tracking last summer, Chicago drill superfriends Chief Keef and Lil Durk have made up and released a new track, produced by Young Chop. Stream "Decline" in all its auto-tuned glory at Fake Shore Drive.
Ryley Walker announces new album
Local psych-rocker Ryley Walker has announced that his new LP, Primrose Green, will be released March 31 on Dead Oceans. Stream the previously released and supremely trippy title track below.
Opening
Open Now: Red Bud, a cringeworthy dramedy about a group of 40-somethings trying to salvage their friendship on a motocross getaway. Signal Ensemble Theatre (1802 W. Berenice).
Open Now: Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992, the Other Theatre Company's inaugural show, which focuses on the 1992 LA race riots. Chopin Theatre (1543 W. Division).
Open Now: Fur Elites, a parlor musical about a boy surrounded by nutters in the fur shop where he works. Annoyance Theatre & Bar (851 W. Belmont).
Open Now: Barely Committed to Three Dimensions, abstract paintings by Rebecca Shore. Corbett vs. Dempsey (1120 N. Ashland, 3rd Floor).
Open Now: Expressionist Portraits, historic works by 1940s printmaker Eleanor Coen. Corbett vs. Dempsey, West Wing (1120 N. Ashland, 3rd Floor).
February 5: Bawdy Bedtime Stories, Plan 9 Burlesque's R-rated take on your favorite fairy tales. Public House Theatre (3914 N. Clark).
February 6: Sondheim on Sondheim, a musical revue of the maestro's best work. Porchlight Music Theatre at Stage 773 (1225 W. Belmont).
February 6: Bates, a send-up of Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho set to 80s tunes. Public House Theatre (3914 N. Clark).
February 6: Redlined, an interdisciplinary show in which Chicago Slam Works uses the Red Line to riff on violence, wealth disparity, and gentrification. Chicago Slam Works at Stage 773 (1225 W. Belmont).
Closing
February 7: Gilbert and Sullivan Rep, featuring the Hyprocrites' new adaptation of H.M.S. Pinafore and reprises of Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado, all helmed by Sean Graney. The Hypocrites at Den Theatre (1333 N. Milwaukee).