ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT RECOMMENDATIONS Compiled by Emma Slings
Chicago Dancers United!
Dance For Life Benefit The Dance for Life 2022 World Premiere Finale is 6 p.m. on August 13 at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells. Dr. This show features seven companies with an after-party at Venue SIX10 (610 S. Michigan Ave.). This event is presented by Chicago Dancers United (CDU), which supports the health and wellness of Chicago’s professional dance community. Enjoy the evening’s unique variety of dance traditions. Featured companies include Chicago Dance Crash (the Chicago premiere of “Us vs. Them”), Deeply Rooted Dance Theater ("Parallel Lives"), Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater ("Baile de Luis Alonso"), Giordano Dance Chicago ("Shirt Off My Back"), The Joffrey Ballet ("Élégie"), NAJWA Dance Corps (sections of "The Guinea Suite") and Trinity Irish Dance Company ("American Traffic"). These performances raise money for The Dancers' Fund to provide financial support for preventative health care and critical medical needs to Chicago’s dance industry professionals. “We dance for joy, community, love, and hope. This is the spirit of the dance,” said choreographer Randy Duncan. Tickets are $500 for the performance and after-party or $25 - $125 for the performance only, on sale at auditoriumtheatre.org. Visit chicagodancersunited.org for more information.
Block Party at the Zoo!
Lincoln Park Zoo Adults' Night Out Head to the Lincoln Park Zoo for an after-hours, adults-only, block-party-style evening on August 18! From 6:30 to 10 p.m., take a stroll among the wildlife or partake in competitive yard games. Come dressed in your '90s best and ready to jam with the DJ playing your favorite ‘90s hits! There will also be animal chats and enrichment, free rides on the carousel, cash bars and food and a wide assortment of activities! Must be 18 or older to attend. Tickets range from $15 to $25 at lpzoo.org. Lincoln Park Zoo members receive 10% off General Admission tickets.
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Revisit the Golden Age of Rock!
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Rock Radio Revisited Relive Rock Radio of the 60s and 70s with the Museum of Broadcast Communications (MBC) when John Records Landecker and Tommy Edwards share stories about DJs, fans, vintage air checks, gimmicks and more, steered by former WGN "rock jock" Wendy Snyder. This benefit for the MBC will be 3-4:30 p.m. August 14 at the Des Plaines Theater, 1476 Miner St., in Des Plaines. Landecker spent decades at WLS and the former WJMK. Edwards was heard on WLS, WCFL and WKQX, and was part of the famous “Animal Stories” (a.k.a. “Little SnotNosed Tommy”) with Larry Lujack on WLS and WRLL. They will be joined remotely and live by other personalities from across the U.S.: Gary Burbank (WLW), ‘Cousin Brucie’ Morrow (Sirius, WABC), Kris Erik Stevens (WLS, WCFL, KQV) and Connie Szerszen (WIND, WJMK, WJEX, WJJD, WUSN). Just close your eyes and imagine cruising in your car with the windows down – you can already hear The Doors, Jimi Hendrix and Fleetwood Mac! Tickets are $10 for students, $20 for virtual attendance, $40 for general admission and $80 for VIP access. See museum.tv for details.
The Legendary Swordman!
'Zorro: the Musical' Experience the story of legendary swordsman and defender of justice in "Zorro: The Musical," brought to life with aerial acrobats, sword fighting and magic! Cisco Lopez plays Don Diego de la Vega, a wealthy caballero who lives a double life as a masked hero entangled in adventure and romance, fighting tyranny while trying to win the love of the beautiful Luisa, played by Laura Quinones. Ensemble Español creates an exciting environment with choreography and Flamenco-based score from international pop sensations, the Gipsy Kings. This regional premiere is at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts (9501 Skokie Blvd.) August 11 through 21. Run time is 2 hours and 45 minutes with a 15-minute intermission. Tickets range from $20-$106 at musictheaterworks.com.
