'Xylophone Solo' by Seymour Rosofsky
MONSTER ROSTER Xylophone Solo (above) exhibits work by the “grotesque”
twentieth century Chicago artist, Seymour Rosofsky.

THE FIVE

Don’t-miss picks for Wed 7.25.12 through Tue 7.31.12:

1

art Xylophone Solo
The late Chicago artist Seymour Rosofsky was a brilliant surrealist painter whose volatile canvases depict bold, colorful, and even grotesque interpretations of everyday life. Rahm Emanuel is a Rosofsky’s fan; Rosofsky’s Unemployment Agency hangs in the Mayor’s office.
GO: 7/27 at 5. Corbett vs Dempsey, 1120 N Ashland. corbettvsdempsey.com
2

theatre Adrift
The playwright David Alex debuts his tale of a man who reflects on his life in hopes of reconciling the missteps he took.
GO: Preview 7/26. Regular run through 7/27–8/26; $12–$20. Polarity Ensemble Theatre with Azusa Productions at Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N Lincoln. greenhousetheater.org
3

classical Woodstock Mozart Festival
The first weekend of this exurban festival honor Mozart by playing his 29th Symphony and piano concertos Nos. 8 and 9. The estimable David Schrader conducts.
GO: 7/28 at 8, 7/29 at 3; $28–$55. Woodstock Opera House, 121 E Van Buren, Woodstock. mozartfest.org
4

festivals Fiesta Del Sol
Advertised as the country’s largest Latino festival, Fiesta Del Sol celebrates its fortieth anniversary with carnival rides, music, a local art fair, and the Señorita Del Sol pageant. Que bonita.
GO: Thu 5–10, Fri–Sat 11–11, Sun 11–10. Cermak from Ashland to Morgan. fiestadelsol.org
5

rock Best Coast
With the release of their sophomore album last May, the syrupy, twangy L.A.-based group has matured and proved its maudlin songwriting is here to stay.
GO: 7/27 at 7:30; $21. Vic Theatre, 3145 N Sheffield. jamusa.com

WHAT I’M DOING THIS WEEKEND

Jose Francisco Salgado
Jose Francisco Salgado

Up next in our series of weekend plans from notable, in-the-know locals—a.k.a. people we like: Jose Francisco Salgado, the Adler Planetarium astronomer and filmmaker whose film, Science and Symphony, will screen in conjunction with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Gustav Holtz’s epic piece The Planets on July 31.

“When it comes to music on Fridays, I usually see what’s offered at the Pritzker Pavilion. They recently premiered the work of a composer friend, Michael Gandolfi. It was a brilliant piece with a Chicago theme. A place that I enjoy nearby is the restaurant at the Yacht Club by Monroe Harbor. They have a seafood buffet that’s really good and the view is beautiful.

“Saturday, I like to go to the Grand Lux Cafe for breakfast. Afterwards, I’ll probably head to the museum campus. I’m a photographer and I love taking pictures of the city. I usually start at the Adler Planetarium and then walk along the lakefront, go through Millennium Park and then make my way towards the river. I love photographing the bridges and Chicago architecture. Any place along the Chicago River is a great place to land at twilight because you can see the sky turn dark blue and the city illuminate with lights—photographers call it the blue hour.

“Sunday, I might go to the zoo. I love the Lincoln Park Zoo. Afterwards, There’s this place I really love in Lincoln Park called the Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Company. They have a pizza that they bake and serve upside-down so it looks like a mushroom.” –As told to Elly Fishman

FREEBIE OF THE WEEK

blues Erwin Helfer
The 76-year-old classically-trained musician brings both boogie and traditional blues riffs to his wildly fun music.
GO: 7/26 at 6:30. Priztker Pavilion, Millennium Park, Michigan and Washington. millenniumpark.org

 

Photography: (XYLOPHONE SOLO) Courtesy of the Estate of Seymour Rosofsky and Corbett vs. Dempsey; (SALGADO) Lee Pullen