A scene from 'Black N Blue Boys'
BLACK N BLUE BOYS Dael Orlandersmith tells the story of five sexually abused
boys.

THE FIVE

Don’t-miss picks for Wed 9.26.12 through Tue 10.2.12:

1

theatre Black N Blue Boys/Broken Men
The magnetic Dael Orlandersmith reprises her one-woman show about five sexually abused boys and the troubled men they become. It’s a difficult (albeit timely) subject matter, but Orlandersmith’s performance is both sharp in detail and sensitively told.
GO: 9/29–10/28 in previews, $20–$45 after. $14–$27. Goodman Theatre, 170 N Dearborn. goodmantheatre.org
2

jazz Hyde Park Jazz Festival
It’s easy to forget Hyde Park’s rich jazz history, but for the sixth year in a row, the Hyde Park jazz festival keeps the history alive. The two-day fest boasts an impressive lineup including the saxophonist Miguel Zenón, the vocalist Dee Alexander, and the vibraphonist Jason Adasiewicz.
GO: 9/29–9/30; free. Times, locations: hydeparkjazzfestival.org
3

dance (glowing) with Kota Yamazaki/Fluid hug-hug
It’s a surprising combination: Butoh, the glacially paced Japanese dance, and vibrant, sensuous African Dance. But, if anyone can pull it off it’s Kota Yamazaki, the renowned Japanese choreographer. Yamazaki’s troupe Fluid hug-hug collaborates with African, Japanese, and American dancers.
GO: 9/27–9/29 at 8. $26–$30. The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, 1306 S Michigan. colum.edu/dance_center
4

theatre Sunday in the Park with George
Ten years ago Gary Griffin staged a spellbinding pocket version of Stephen Sondheim’s impressionistic love story. Now, as one of the country’s foremost Sondheim interpreters, Griffin takes the fictionalized tale of the painter George Seurat to the main stage.
GO: 9/26–11/4, times vary; $48–$78. 800 E Grand. chicagoshakes.com
5

soul The Congregation
The Chicago-based neo-soul group celebrates the release of their debut album, Right Now Everything, at Martyrs’. The country-rock group The Shams Band, The Sometimes Family, and djRC also take the stage.
GO: 9/28 at 9; $12. Martyrs, 3855 N Lincoln. martyrslive.com

WHAT I’M DOING THIS WEEKEND

Mei Ann Chen
Mei-Ann Chen

Up next in our series of weekend plans from notable, in-the-know locals—a.k.a. people we like: Mei-Ann Chen, the music director and conductor of the Chicago Sinfonietta. The group begins their 25th anniversary season on 9/29 at Wentz Hall in Naperville and gives a second performance at Symphony Center on 10/1.

“I like starting Fridays with a segue tour downtown in Millennium Park. You cannot help but fall in love with the Pritzker Pavilion. The acoustics and architecture are amazing. After, one of the best places to have lunch is The Gage. It’s a very creative place, and the flavors were wonderful. Friday night is the Sinfonietta’s benefit at the at Zhou B Art Center in Bridgeport. The brothers will create a large-art piece on the spot as we perform. It’s really cool to witness art being created, and it will be created as the music is played. Sticking with the Asian theme, I’ll head to Tamarind for dinner. I grew up eating their secret dish: the beef noodle soup. It’s a hidden gem in the South Loop.

“Saturday, I’ll visit the Art Institute. I’m excited for the new show, Building: Inside Studio Gang Architects. While there, you have to eat lunch at Terzo Piano in the modern wing. It’s mostly local and organic and the setting is absolutely gorgeous.

“Sunday, dim sum brunch at Phoenix restaurant. It’s one of my favorite dim sum places in Chinatown. Later I might head to the Lincoln Park Zoo. Last time I visited, I fell in love with the polar bear. The Japanese BBQ place Gyu-kaku is a good for dinner. You grill your own food and they offer a long happy hour and everything is a real bargain. I’ll probably end the day on the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier—it’s a beautiful night view of the city.” –As told to Elly Fishman

FREEBIE OF THE WEEK

performance art Water Music
Former Museum of Contemporary Art associate curator Tricia Van Eck is now the director of the Edgewater art house, 6018NORTH. This weekend Van Eck presents “Water Music,” a series of music performances along the lakeshore. The musicians include: Simon Anderson, Jonathan Chen, and Frank Rosaly.
GO: 9/30; Free (must RSVP). Edgewater’s Berger Park Beach, near 6219 N Sheridan. 6018north.net

 

Photography: (ORLANDERSMITH) Courtesy of the Goodman Theatre; (CHEN) Ken Carl