ARTS & (HOME) ENTERTAINMENT RECOMMENDATIONS 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
Mod Masterpieces!
'A Designed Life: Contemporary American Textiles, Wallpapers, and Containers & Packaging, 1951–1954' The Design Museum is thrilled to bring the traveling exhibition, A Designed Life: Contemporary American Textiles, Wallpapers, and Containers & Packaging, 1951–1954, from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County’s Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture (CADVC) to Chicago. “A Designed Life” is an exhibition based on three historically significant traveling exhibitions of contemporary, mass-produced, American-designed consumer goods that were commissioned by the U.S. Department of State in the early 1950s. It recreates those early Cold War exhibitions — featuring American textiles, wallpapers, containers, and packaging — restating and interpreting part of each display as it might have appeared in the early 1950s. By this time, the United States and Soviet Union were engaged in the Cold War. Extensive propaganda campaigns were part of both countries’ strategy for extending their spheres of influence. As part of this strategy, the United States Department of State developed a series of elaborate traveling exhibits that created an attractive portrait of contemporary America. The three exhibits organized in 1951 by the Traveling Exhibition Service that are recreated in "A Designed Life" include: Contemporary American Textiles, designed by Florence Knoll; Contemporary American Wallpapers, designed by Tom Lee; Containers and Packaging, designed by Will Burtin. FREE through September 19 at Expo 72, 72 E. Randolph St.
Summer Staple!
(HOME) ENTERTAINMENT
Windy City Ribfest Finger lickin' slabs from some of the best local and national ribbers will be in the spotlight at this popular summer food/ street fest. Even better? A rockin' 3-day music stage lineup featuring some of the hottest local and national rock/pop and classic indie acts as well as local tribute bands! This "saucy" happening also features arts & crafts, a daytime play area for kids, plus beer and wine. Windy City Ribfest in Uptown takes place just steps away from three of Chicago's hippest music venues: the Riviera Theatre, the Green Mill, and the iconic Aragon Ballroom. July 2-4, 12 - 10 p.m. $5 suggested donation.
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Keep Dancing!
Chosen Few DJs Virtual Picnic & Festival Started in 1990 as a small gathering of friends behind the Museum of Science & Industry, the Chosen Few Picnic & House Music Festival is the world’s longest-running event dedicated to House Music. Nicknamed the “Woodstock of House Music” for its family-reunion vibe, the Picnic & Festival attracts more than 40,000 fans to Chicago’s Jackson Park each year, and counts among its supporters former United States President Barack Obama. The event is virtual once again this year from 12 - 9 p.m. July 3 at chosenfewdjs.com
Video Game Master!
Sketch Journals of Jordan Mechner Chicago Gamespace is proud to host the first major solo exhibition of work by video game icon Jordan Mechner. Mechner is among the most recognizable figures in video game history as the creator of the Prince of Persia franchise. In 2016, Mechner moved from the United States to France for a video game project and captured his impressions of the country in a series of largely monochromatic ink and paper drawings. These magnetic studies of quietly beautiful street life, cafés, airports, and live models offer a distinctly fresh view of a place that has been muse to so many throughout art history. This series was the focus of two books, “Year 2” and its prequel “Year 1” in France by Jordan Mechner, printed by Tomoe in Montpellier. The exhibition will run through August 22. It will be open to the public on Sundays 1-5 p.m. and by appointment. More information at chicagogamespace.com
