ARTS & (HOME) ENTERTAINMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

Art with a Cause!

'Ken Bortman Here'

“Ken Bortman Here!” is a phrase familiar to those at Project Onward, a nonprofit art studio that supports artists living with mental and developmental disabilities, as it is the endearing and distinctive way Ken announces himself over the phone and whenever necessary. Bortman received his BFA with a focus on painting and printmaking from The School of the Art Institute in 1979, and later moved to New York City to be a part of the Greenwich Village art scene. In this celebratory retrospective of Ken’s work, Project Onward showcases a cohesive selection of his mixed media paintings and sculptures. His distinctive, almost child-like color palette, his keen eye for composition, playful ideas, and decades of expertise come through in every piece. This free virtual exhibit is available for viewing through March 19. Find more info at www.projectonward.org/events-1/ken-bortman-here.

Black History in Modern Art!

'Cuts and Beats: Cecil McDonald, Jr.'

The exhibition at Kanter McCormick Gallery presents a collection of Cecil McDonald, Jr.’s most recent body of work birthed from his 2018 residency at the Hyde Park Art Center, which embodies photomontages to subvert the racist representation of Black artists from history. Through his art practice, McDonald explores the intersections of masculinity, kinship, and the artistic and intellectual pursuits of Black Americans, using multiple media. "Cuts and Beats" focuses on the controlled conditions under which Black artists performed and built careers during the Vaudeville and Minstrel era. Using photomontage technique, McDonald combined manipulated historical images of Black artists publicized by the entertainment industry—vintage sheet music covers, theater advertisements, and artist publicity photographs—with contemporary photographs taken by the artist himself in dance clubs around Chicago. By blending generations, locations, and authorship, McDonald wishes to subvert, not erase, the racist representations of Black musicians popularized in the late 1800s. This free exhibit runs through June 12. Visit www.hydeparkart.org/plan-your-visit/ to schedule a tour today!

Exploring Land Rights

Property Without Rights: Origins and Consequences of the Property Rights Gap

Major land reform programs have reallocated property in more than one-third of the world's countries in the last century and impacted over one billion people. But only rarely have these programs granted beneficiaries complete property rights. Why is this the case, and what are the consequences? Michael Albertus, an associate professor in the department of political science at the University of Chicago, will discuss “Property Without Rights: Origins and Consequences of the Property Rights Gap.” He will be joined in conversation by Susan Stokes, the Tiffany and Margaret Blake Distinguished Service Professor and director of the Chicago Center on Democracy. This free virtual event presented by Seminary Co-op bookstore will take place at 5:30-6:30 p.m March 10. Reserve your place at www.semcoop.com/event.

Architecture Explorations!

A Draftsman’s Dream by Kareem Davis

Kareem Davis’ elegant graphite drawings focus on the simple and straightforward beauty of buildings, both real and imagined. Many depict Chicago housing developments, the majority of which have been torn down. Some are delightful wishful thinking, like his renderings of the new Obama International Hotel and Suites and The Chicago Sky Tower (pictured). Davis is a lifelong Chicago resident and is extremely knowledgeable about the Chicago Transit Authority. W.hen he is not drawing skyscrapers, he is rendering images of CTA L-trains and buses while enthusiastically informing his viewer of the design and function. Davis has been a member of Project Onward for five years. The free exhibit is open for viewing now through April 10. Visit westernexhibitions.com to book an in-person appointment at Western Exhibitions, 1709 W. Chicago Ave.

Hop to it!

Easter Bunny Bingo: Jesus, Resurrection & Peeps!

Is it a sin to answer your cell phone during Mass? Can you text your confession to your priest? Is it a sin to eat meat on a Friday during Lent? You’ll learn the answers to these and more in Vicki Quade’s comedy, “Easter Bunny Bingo: Jesus, Resurrection, & Peeps!” It's just in time for the Easter season, through April 4. The streaming performance was recorded before a live audience on March 15, 2020, the last day before the Royal George Theatre was closed to the public due to the pandemic. Select a time and date and purchase your $15 tickets at hottix.org.

N Y T Bestseller Talk!

Virtual Author Conversation: 'Professional Troublemaker' by Luvvie Ajayi Jones

From the New York Times bestselling author of “I'm Judging You,” a hilarious and transformational book about how to tackle fear--that everlasting hater--and audaciously step into lives, careers, and legacies that go beyond even our wildest dreams. Luvvie Ajayi Jones will be in conversation with Brittany Packnett Cunningham. This ticketed event will be held on March 9 at 7 p.m. and will be streamed via Women & Children First's Crowdcast Channel. Attendees must purchase the book to attend. Attendees will also receive a free "Judgey Pop" with their ticket purchase. Visit www.womenandchildrenfirst.com/event for individual ticket pricing and more information.

A Legendary Author!

Celebrating Sandra Cisneros

Presented by the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame, author Sandra Cisneros is being awarded the Fuller Award for lifetime achievement at 7 p.m. March 13. A native Chicagoan, Cisneros started her illustrious career with the 1980 publication of the poetry chapbook “Bad Boys,” and soon rose to the top of the literary stratosphere with her 1984 young adult novel, “The House on Mango Street.” The coming-of-age story, which follows, in a series of vignettes, a year in the life of Esperanza Cordero, quickly became one of the most adored books of her generation, an almost must-read at schools throughout the country. Her literary outpouring continued with an incredible array of poems, stories, memoirs, and essays, including her most recent work, “A House of My Own: Stories from My Life.” The event is free but registration is required for attendance. Visit https://www.womenandchildrenfirst.com/event for more information.