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

Multimedia Performance!

'Tijuana' by Lagartijas Tiradas al Sol

Based on the filmed social experiment "Tijuana" by Lagartijas al Sol, Lázaro Gabino Rodríguez depicts overlooked social issues in Mexico through visual and multimedia performances. In sum, the film "Tijuana" showcases Lagartijas Tiradas al Sol temporarily moving to Tijuana and becoming a part of the community. Lagartijas Tiradas al Sol creates a new identity and a new job in a sweatshop to address what democracy is like for someone working a minimum wage job. Lázaro Gabino Rodríguez acts out the movie on stage while highlighting the social and political issues that many residents in Mexico face. Part of the Destinos 2021 - 4th Chicago International Latino Theater Festival. The Chicago Latino Theater Alliance (CLATA) invites everyone to watch Lázaro Gabino Rodríguez’s performance at the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, 1852 W. 19th St., on September 23 from 7:30-9 p.m. Tickets average $25 and can be purchased at Eventbrite.com.

Interactive Ballet!

‘72 Seasons’

The Chicago Manual Style presents “72 Seasons,” an interactive ballet that pulls inspiration from the Japanese calendar to represent Chicago’s landscape and different passages of time. The ballet itself represents the micro-seasons or kō, that take place in the city. "72 Seasons" wants to inform people that more than four seasons exist and that nature and society are constantly changing. The main goal is to break the traditional way of viewing nature and get involved rhythmically and visually. Choreographer Brendan Fernandes invites the city to engage with the dancers at the Lurie Garden in Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., from 1-3 p.m. on September 25 and October 23. “72 Seasons” is a free public event that takes place just in time before fall comes.

A Chicago Tradition!

Puerto Rican Festival

For over 50 years, the Puerto Rican Festival has celebrated and honored the Puerto Rican community. Everyone is invited back for another year of music, dancing, food, and celebrating Puerto Rico’s culture and history. Here, you can learn more about the customs and cultures that are important to many Puerto Ricans. This festival takes place over four days in Humboldt Park, 1301 N. Humboldt Drive. From September 23-24, the festival will go from 3-10 p.m. and, from September 25-26, the festival will go from 12-10 p.m. Festival officials ask that everyone wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status.

Your Own Art!

Grab and Go: Chicago Mini Canvas Art

Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State St., invites you to pick up a free mini canvas grab-and-go kit on September 21 from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. The library wants you to embrace your inner artist by showing Chicago pride for your neighborhood and community. Each grab-and-go kit includes a mini canvas, paint, and brushes. If interested, please go to the 8th-floor reference desk inside the library and ask them for a grab-and-go kit. This event is part of the One Book, One Chicago program. This program explores the theme of neighborhoods and communities courtesy of Eric Charles May's book "Bedrock Faith." The book discusses how one boy tries to bring his neighborhood together in Parkland, Chicago. For more information on the Grab and Go art kits or "Bedrock Faith," please visit chipublib.org.

Hippity-Hop!

Bunny Yoga

Celebrate the first day of fall with bunnies! On September 22, Cuddle Bunny invites you to participate in its annual Fall Equinox Bunny Yoga from 7:15-8:15 p.m. at its headquarters at 2901 N. Clark St. This intention-setting yoga class will help you release the past, start the transition into a new season, and cuddle with bunnies while doing so. This class is open to any level of yoga expertise. During this class, you will go over beginner stretches and maybe even learn some new ones. This is a BYOM (bring your own mat) and socially-distanced event. Cuddle Bunny asks everyone to wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status. Tickets can be purchased at cuddlebunnyccc.com for $20 under the Events Calendar section on their website.

Chill Out!

Sensory-Friendly Morning

The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago invites visitors of all ages to its Sensory-Friendly morning on September 26 from 10-11:30 a.m. The MCA recognizes that some neurodivergent people may get overwhelmed by loud and crowded spaces. The lights in the lobby will be dimmed, and there will be quiet spaces available for people who may need some alone time or a break. The event will take place before the museum opens. It is a free event, but the MCA highly recommends purchasing a ticket to preregister a spot. To buy a ticket, go to mcachicago.org.

In-Person Comedy!

CAMP Comedy Show

CAMP is back in person for the first time in over a year on September 20. This comedy show is full of jokes, pranks, and lots of laughs. Summer Camp energy is the inspiration for CAMP the Comedy Show. Just like summer camp, there will be talent shows, pranks, and games. It is a place for performers to unleash their creative sides. CAMP Comedy Show is available online for $10 or in person for $15. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. at Lincoln Lodge, 2040 N. Milwaukee Ave. For more details about CAMP and to purchase tickets, please visit tinyurl.com/ CAMPSHOW920.

Smooth Jazz!

Hyde Park Jazz Festival

The Hyde Park Jazz Festival is back for its 15th anniversary. South Side Chicago invites fellow jazz lovers to listen and explore different local jazz musicians for free on September 25 from 1-10 p.m. and on September 26 from 12-7 p.m. Even though it is a free event, the festival does encourage a $5 minimum donation. The festival consists of 30 live jazz artists scattered throughout Hyde Park, Kenwood, and Washington Park. Because of the pandemic, the festival is asking everyone to wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status. They are also encouraging non-vaccinated attendees to get a COVID test at least 48 hours before arriving. See a full schedule and locations at hydeparkjazzfestival.org

You Better Work!

SASHAY: A Late Night Queer Comedy and Drag Extravaganza

The Laugh Factory presents SASHAY: A Late Night Queer Comedy and Drag Extravaganza. SASHAY guarantees that this show is unlike any other you may have seen before. There will be audience-based lipsync competitions, stand-up comedy, games, and drag shows. Local Queer comedians and drag queens will present their best jokes and their best outfits. It is multiple mini-shows put together to showcase each comedian's creative, unique, and quirky side. Come all comedian and drag lovers to the Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, on September 24 at 11:30 p.m. SASHAY is a free comedy show, but still requires you to register online at Eventbrite.com.

-Compiled by Paige Bialik