Arts & Entertainment Recommendations

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

Compiled by Kyra Walker

Real Lives Retold!

‘Port of Entry’

Port of Entry marks the second collaboration between Albany Park Theater Project (Chicago) and Third Rail Projects (New York). The APTP’s teen ensemble has performed for more than 60,000 people and filmed two of its original broadcasts on WTTW, Chicago’s PBS affiliate. Each performance welcomes 28 audience members into an iconic courtyard apartment building meticulously recreated within a 1929 warehouse. With each step through the 3-story immersive world, participants will experience the joys, struggles, and triumphs of immigrants and refugees from around the globe as they forge new lives alongside one another in one of the country's most diverse immigrant communities: Chicago's Albany Park. Performances will be at APTP on Montrose, 3547 W. Montrose. Children under age 14 will not be admitted. The summer season runs July 15-August 12. The fall season runs October 6-December 12. For more information visit: https://portofentrychicago.com/

The Importance of Home!

Nishanth Injam: 'The Best Possible Experience'

Join author Nishanth Injam in a discussion about his book, “The Best Possible Experience” 6-7 p.m. July 11 at the Seminary Co-op Bookstore, 5751 S. Woodlawn Ave. This book brings us intimate, impeccably realized accounts of individuals living in one of the most populous countries in the world. Injam’s stories question what it means to have a home, to return home, and to show that home is not a place so much as a people who are ready to accept who you are. We see a young man trapped on a bus to visit his parents as his fellow passengers vanish into the restroom. A woman returns to a small village in India every summer to visit the grandfather who raised her, who lives with the ghosts of his son and wife. FREE. Registration is at https://airtable.com/shr3lVkaUNQDj5Cuc

Shop One-of-a-Kind!

The Trashy Summer Market

The trashiest market in Chicago, featuring inspirational Makers creatively transforming reclaimed materials, repurposing less-than-loved stuff and promoting zero-waste activities. Support locally-made, low eco-impact, and socially-thoughtful businesses that make one-of-a-kind items. Find art, home goods, planters and more at KOVAL Tasting Room, 4241 N. Ravenswood Ave., noon-5 p.m. July 15. More information at nowhere-collective.com

Social Justice Film Screening!

'Birthing Justice' Film Screening

'Birthing Justice' captures the experiences and challenges of Black women, their families, caretakers, and advocates. This screening will be 2-5 p.m. July 12 at the Catholic Theological Union, 5416 S. Cornell Ave. It examines the structures and systems that determine disparate rates of mortality. Ultimately, this pivotal film celebrates the efforts to fix America’s broken medical system and transform this narrative of tragedy into hope. Refreshments will be provided. FREE. RSVP on eventbrite.com

The Sounds of the World!

Chicago Immigrant Orchestra

Co-directors Fareed Haque and Wanees Zarour are bringing their musical sounds to Millennium Park, 6:30-7:30 p.m. July 18 at the Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E Randolph St. Fareed is a modern guitarist steeped in classical, jazz, and global traditions. He has collaborated with Goran Ivanovic as part of an acclaimed acoustical guitar duo. Wanees is a composer and multi-instrumentalist with roots deep in Middle Eastern music, and he’s well versed in modern jazz and global music styles. The orchestra is dedicated to the authenticity and history of living musical traditions from around the world. FREE. No registration is required.

Love, Hope, & Happiness!

Water Lantern Festival

This floating lantern event is about connections. The festival will be 5:30-9:30 p.m. July 15 at Lincoln Park South Lagoon, 2045 N. Lincoln Park. Tickets are $35.99. Use the code “LETSGO” for a $5 discount at www.waterlanternfestival.com/chicago.php. As the sun begins to set, the Water Lantern Festival begins to shine, as attendees light their lanterns and launch them onto the water.

Live in Humboldt Park!

Chicago Latin Jazz Festival at Humboldt Park

Enjoy music from the Tito Carrillo Urbanessence band at 6 p.m. and Marlon Simon & The Nagual at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 14 at the Chicago Latin Jazz Festival in Humboldt Park, 1440 N. Humboldt Blvd. Raices, a tribute to Ruben Alvarez, will play at 5 p.m. July 15 and De La Buena, a tribute to Cecilio Negron Jr., will play at 6:30 p.m.

A Bit of Nature in the City!

Summer Nature Fest

Explore the Peggy Notebaert Museum during this celebration of summer. From 3-8 p.m. July 13 at 2430 N. Cannon Drive, enjoy an evening of animals, live music, an appearance by WTTW Kids' Nature Cat, and much more. Soak it all in with good food, drinks and a view of the North Pond under the city skyline. FREE admission, but reserve your tickets at https://naturemuseum.org/programsevents/summer-nature-fest/

Queer Love!

‘Old Enough’ by Haley Jakobson

Haley Jakobson will celebrate the release of her latest novel, “Old Enough,” at Women & Children First Bookstore, 5233 N. Clark St., at 7 p.m. July 11. The story follows Savannah “Sav'' Henry and her exploration of queer love, community, and surviving hardships. Jakobson is a bisexual writer who resides in Brooklyn, New York. Her work explores queerness, mental health and trauma. Check womenandchildrenfirst.com for registration.

Dancing in the Park!

Celebration Dances Of West Africa At Hayes

NAJWA Dance Corps (NDC) and Najwa Junior Corps (NJC) will present a one-hour interactive program on "Dances of West Africa." The program will include dances from the SeneGambia Region, Guinea, and Liberia, along with live drumming. The event is FREE, 6-7 p.m. July 13 at Hayes Park, 2936 W. 85th St.