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 and why you love them to: Creative Director / Publisher Dave Hamilton at dhamilton@streetwise.org

Show Unity!

Chicago Acts Together T-shirt

The Chicago theater community is “acting together” to raise funds for the Chicago Theatre Workers Relief Fund, a League of Chicago Theatres initiative that directly assists theater personnel who have lost work as a result of CO- VID-19 and who are facing financial uncertainty. Steppenwolf Theatre Company has led the effort because its ethos is “ensemble:” that we are stronger when we act together, said Steppenwolf Director of Audience Experience Aaron Aptaker. “With COVID-19 presenting a massive threat to the well-being of not only Steppenwolf but the entire Chicago theatre ecosystem, we wanted to meet this challenge as a united front.” After Steppenwolf reached out to the theatre community, the proposal was quickly embraced by over 100 other local theatre companies. The result is a new, limited edition “Chicago Acts Together” T-shirt, which features the names of all participating companies. Steppenwolf Graphic Designer Christopher Huizar said of the pink skyline-on-black design he developed, “For this illustration I wanted to depict Chicago in a way that was simultaneously complex and simple. I wanted the many details to reflect how it takes the many aspects of our creative community to reveal the form of our city.” T-shirts are $30 each, with an option to donate more. To purchase, please visit Rowboat Creative and their Creatives Who Care initiative at https:// creativeswhocare.org/collections/chicagoactstogether. All proceeds will go directly to the Workers Relief Fund.

Get Into the Groove!

Deeply Rooted Dance Theater

At 11:30 a.m. on May 28, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater (DRDT) offers its Continuum Process, which encompasses education, conversation and performance: both a response to COVID-19 and integral to the company's mission. Under the leadership of DRDT Artistic Director Nicole Clarke-Springer and members of DRDT's artistic team, The Continuum Process is a series of virtually guided discussions on self-awareness and personal growth informed by each participant's creativity. Students participate in a warmup class to learn choreography phrases of a specific work and transition into guided conversation about that work. The May 28 session will be led by Fana Tshabalala from South Africa. Tshabalala previously worked with DRDT on the 2017 premiere of a Chicago adaptation of his work, "INDUMBA," which will comprise the content of his Continuum session. He has choreographed and performed with Lena Dance Company in Sweden, Dance Umbrella 2018 in Geneva, and Dance Dialogue Africa, which toured Germany and 12 African nations. He is a co-founder and director for Broken Borders Arts Project at the University of Johannesburg. Participation in The Continuum Project is free, with registration on Eventbrite. Donations are encouraged.

Take a Run!

Virtual Run for the Zoo

For the first time in its 42-year existence, Run for the Zoo will go virtual! Get out and enjoy nature run or a walk in your neighborhood, take photos, log your time and miles and share your experience with the Lincoln Park Zoo. The annual run helps keep the zoo free and open 365 days a year. All ages are welcome. Price for both the 5K and 10K virtual runs is $39.99 (members receive a $5 discount). The Safari Stampede kids' virtual race is $25.99. Register by June 7 and complete your distance by June 21. More information is available at lpzoo.org/events