Start August off strong with some of our recommended events:
Mon 8/1: Live storytelling show the Moth hosts its GrandSLAM Championship at the Athenaeum Theatre (2936 N. Southport), which brings together the winners of Chicago’s past ten StorySLAMS to compete for the GrandSLAM Champion title. 8 PM
Mon 8/1: See avant-garde rock collective Lovely Little Girls—along with Bobby Conn, Walking Bicycles, and Chorus of Shadows—at the Empty Bottle (1035 N. Western) tonight. The Reader’s Monica Kendrick writes, “the core duo, artist Gregory Jacobsen and bassist Alex Perkolup, create elaborate, challenging, ever-changing musical structures with grotesque themes of slimy, suppurating, oozing, tumescent bodily horror.” 9 PM
Through 9/3: Learn about the world of relief printmaking at the Chicago Printmakers Collaborative (4192 N. Western) at “Cuts,” its exhibition featuring relief prints from artists like Peeter Allik, Susanna Crum, Nicolette Ross, and Rafael E. Vera.
Tue 8/2: Explore new craft beers and interactive art at Arts and Craft Beer Night, presented by Changing World Associates Board, at Lagunitas Tap Room (2607 W. 17th). 5:30-8:30 PM
Tue 8/2: Hear from a collection of LGBTQ storytellers—including Erin Marshall, Art Johnston, and Hadeis Safi—curated by Acorn Theatre’s David Fink at the monthly lit showcase OUTspoken! at Sidetrack (3349 N. Halsted). 7 PM
Tue 8/2: Celebrate nearly 200 years of Peruvian independence at Tanta Chicago (118 W. Grand) as they host a four-course dinner of Peruvian food paired with cocktails and wine to mark the anniversary. 6-9 PM
Wed 8/3: Check out experimental metal band Planning for Burial at Reggie’s Chicago (2105 S. State). The Reader’s Leor Galil writes of their latest LP, “levitating shoegaze melodies and barely audible whispers gracefully float through the five-track LP, and Wasluck allows his affection for the heaviness of doom and goth to seep into the pores of the songs.” 7:30 PM
Wed 8/3: Cirque du Soleil’s newest show, Toruk, debuts Wednesday at the United Center (1901 W. Madison). The show was inspired by Avatar and combines trippy lighting and film with Cirque’s standard acrobatics feats. 7:30 PM
Thu 8/4: “Adopt” one of the 50,000 yellow rubber ducks racing down the Chicago River starting at the Wrigley Building (400 N. Michigan) as part in the Windy City Rubber Duck Derby, a fund-raiser benefitting Illinois Special Olympics. 10 AM
Thu 8/4: Find your zen at Chicago’s annual Festival of Inner Peace, hosted by Sahaja Yoga Meditation, which presents group meditation and performances by musicians, dancers, and artists at the Harris Theater (205 E. Randolph). 7-9 PM
For more stuff to do this week—and every day—check out our Agenda page.
