Arts & (Home) Entertainment

Since being stuck inside, which shows have you been watching? Which movies? Have you read any good books lately? Any new music releases have you dancing in your living room? StreetWise vendors, readers and staff are sharing what is occupying their attention during this unprecedented time.

To be featured in a future edition, send your recommendations of what to do at home and why you love them to: Creative Director / Publisher Dave Hamilton at dhamilton@streetwise.org

Explore New Music!

From Exile

"From Exile" features music by and about people living in diaspora populations around the world. Videos include a new four-violin arrangement of the classic song Champa Battambang ("Flower of Battambang") by Cambodian singer Sin Sisamouth, a new four-violin arrangement of Todos Vuelven ("Everyone returns") by Peruvian composer César Miró, and Armenian folk songs as transcribed by the Armenian composer and ethnomusicologist Komitas. Each song has a special meaning for the diaspora populations with which it's associated. Other works come from composers of the African, Cuban, and Haitian diaspora populations including Tightrope by Chicago composer Regina Harris Baiocchi, entanglements by Orlando Jacinto García, and Solace by composer Gifrants. Each video features an introduction by the composer or another individual providing context for the music. The online solo video performances of "From Exile" are in lieu of the fifth program in Crossing Borders Music's six-concert series "Choosing Life and Freedom," featuring music by composers who responded to terrible tragedies with music, affirming life, and to oppression with music affirming freedom. Watch anytime at https://www.facebook.com/watch/CrossingBordersMusic/

Take an Art Walk!

The People in Your Neighborhood

Dont Fret, one of Chicago’s most recognizable street artists, has unveiled a new, large-scale art installation on the Chicago Riverwalk. Titled "The People in Your Neighborhood," the installation is located at the Riverwalk’s western most point, known as The Confluence between East Lake and North Franklin Streets, and features 55 portraits of Chicagoans, all portrayed in Dont Fret’s inimitable sardonic style. The unveiling is accompanied by the release of his new book, "Dont Fret: Life Thus Far." Offering a microcosmic reflection of Chicago’s scrappy and hard-working residents, the portrait subjects of The People in Your Neighborhood range from the well-known to the obscure. Designer and restaurateur Kevin Heisner stands alongside Claudio, Chicago’s beloved tamale vendor, who in turn rubs elbows with Maria, longtime owner of Maria’s Bridgeport and Howard Brown Health doctor Abby Baus. Each is depicted with both comedic and piercing insight, caricatures that are reminiscent of the archetypical Chicagoans who have lived in the city for generations. The portraits and subject bios can also be seen on Dont Fret’s Instagram page (instagram.com/dontfretart).

Binge This!

'Avatar: The Last Airbender'

Avatar: The Last Airbender’s popularity resurfaced when Netflix added it on May 15. I remember watching this show every week on Nickelodeon when I was a kid, but I couldn’t remember everything that happened so I jumped on the bandwagon and rewatched it when it came out. After finishing the series, I can easily say that it’s one of my favorite shows of all time. The show centers on the last known airbender, Aang, who also happens to be the avatar. As the avatar, Aang has to keep the peace between the four nations: The Earth

Kingdom, Fire Nation, Water Tribes and Air Nomads. I love this show because it is based on Inuit and Asian cultures and brings up topics like imperialism, sexism, censorship, colonialism, and refugees. There is incredible character development throughout the three seasons, and it even makes me appreciate the characters I despise. The characters and their struggles are well-written and unpredictable. Although it can carry hard topics, it still has the right amount of humor in each episode to balance things out. It’s a phenomenal and smart show for people of all ages, and it’s sure to make you emotional every time you watch it.

-Recommended by StreetWise Intern Camille Baranda

-Compiled by Dave Hamilton