With its relaxed atmosphere and dependably adventurous programming, Elastic Arts is high on the list of local spots Gossip Wolf has been pining to visit since the pandemic hit—especially because when it suspended in-person events last spring it had just introduced a sensational 16-speaker, 16-channel sound system created by the Chicago Laboratory for Electroacoustic Theatre. This wolf’s next date with the CLEAT system will have to wait, but this month Elastic is ramping up its online programming after staying pretty quiet since the end of September.
- The first solo album by Ono guitarist Da Wei Wang
On Friday, the Chicago Independent Venue League opened applications for grants from its CIVL SAVE Emergency Relief Fund, which benefits venue staff waylaid by the pandemic—roughly 7,000 people worked for CIVL venues at this point last year. (The venues themselves are still waiting on federal grants from December’s Shuttered Venue Operators program to trickle in.) The SAVE money comes from donations to the virtual concert series CIVLization, from merch sales, and from fundraising partnerships. For now only venue staffers are eligible to apply; deadline is Sunday, March 21. (Update: Deadline has been extended until Sunday, March 28.) Future rounds of relief will extend to artists and performers as well as to venues. CIVL is also seeking Illinois residents to volunteer as jurors to help approve applications—venue staffers may not serve in this capacity, but other industry workers are welcome. You can find the SAVE application and more information at civlchicago.com/save.
