A still from the new media artist Casilda Sánchez’s film installation at the Hyde Park Art Center.
QUISIERA SER TAN ALTA COMO LA LUNA A still from the new media artist
Casilda Sánchez’s film installation at the Hyde Park Art Center.

THE FIVE

Don’t-miss picks for Wed 8.22.12 through Tue 8.28.12:

1

art Ground Floor
With Dawoud Bey at its helm (see “A Window into Dawoud Bey’s Photography”), Ground Floor is a sophisticated insight into Chicago’s future in contemporary art. The acclaimed photographer curates the latest Hyde Park Art Center show which features work by 11 promising Chicago-area artists.
GO: Through 11/11; free. Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S Cornell. hydeparkart.org
2

folk The Cumberland River Band
The stone-faced fellas from Harlan County, KY play bluegrass with a rock flair. Their Americana songs about recklessness and hardened hearts are a dark look into country living.
GO: 8/25 at 8; $15–$20. American Legion Music Hall, 1030 Central, Evanston. chicagobluegrass.com
3

film Music Is My Life, Politics My Mistress
The late musician and composer Oscar Brown Jr. was a Chicagoan who left his mark. Donnie l. Bett’s documentary chronicles the south side native’s five-decade career. In addition to the screening, several of Brown’s grandchildren and family members will perform selections of his work.
GO: 8/24 at 7; free. Midway Plaisance Park, 915 E 60th. logancenter.uchicago.edu
4

art Peripheral Views: States of America
The resident curators from the Museum of Contemporary Photography curators discuss Peripheral Views, the current exhibition that examines beauty queens, rusted cars, and the cultural climate in 20th century America.
GO: 8/23 at 6; free. Museum of Contemporary Photography, 600 S Michigan. mocp.org
5

rock Yeasayer
Part electro-pop, part 1980s jam band, the Brooklyn group layers synthesizer and fey melodies with flamboyant flair. The show celebrates the release of their third album, Fragrant World.
GO: 8/22 at 8; $24. Vic Theatre, 3145 N Sheffield. victheatre.com

WHAT I’M DOING THIS WEEKEND

Matthew Duvall
Matthew Duvall

Up next in our series of weekend plans from notable, in-the-know locals—a.k.a. people we like: Matthew Duvall, the percussionist in the contemporary music ensemble Eighth Blackbird who will perform John Luther Adams’ Inuksuit for 96 musicians at Millennium Park this Sunday, 8/26 at 5:30 p.m.

“On Fridays I often I stop by Gene’s Sausage Shop and Delicatessen in Lincoln Square after I leave rehearsal. They have this maple buffalo sausage that’s amazing, but really it’s best to go in without a plan and be very impulsive. Later, when I get home, my wife Margret and I will walk over to Quince before we head to see our daughter’s theatre performance. Quince is a cozy place to get a drink and some small plates like duck foie gras and scallops.

“Saturday I’ll head to the Evanston farmers market. I like the cheese vendors who make their own weird cheeses. Afterward I have rehearsal from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with 95 other musicians, some of whom are from out of town. This doesn’t happen very often, so we’ll inevitably hang afterwards. We might go to the Irish pub Tommy Nevin’s, their outdoor seating is really nice.

“Sunday, there’s a good chance my five-year-old will be up early, so we’ll sneak out to Creperie Saint Germain. My kids love it because they can have a small cup of frites, a crepe, and a scoop of ice cream. It also happens to be a lovely little bistro with seating on the sidewalk. Inuksuit is at 5:30 p.m. that day and once it wraps up, all of the performers will go to the Gage on Michigan Avenue. We’ve reserved the basement, it’s a great place to host a group. And after that, I’ll probably collapse.” –As told to Elly Fishman

FREEBIE OF THE WEEK

performance art Jaap Blonk
For the past 25 years, the Dutch sound artist and performer has been a reigning king of weird. The multifarious guy stages everything from Dadaist poetry to experimental music to symphonies of guttural sounds. If you’re looking to step outside your comfort zone, Blonk’s act may be your ticket.
GO: 8/27 at 7. Corbett vs Dempsey, 1120 N Ashland. corbettvsdempsey.com

 

Photography: (SÁNCHEZ) Courtesy of the artist; (DUVALL) Luke Ratray