Arts and Entertainment Reccommendations

Literature For All!

Printers Row Lit Fest

Printers Row Lit Fest, the largest outdoor literary showcase in the Midwest, returns with 100% free programming for book lovers on September 10 and 11, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Presented by the Near South Planning Board, the highly anticipated festival kicks off with Pulitzer Prize winner, two-term United States Poet Laureate, and recipient of the 2022 Harold Washington Literary Award Natasha Trethewey. Printers Row Lit Fest features new, old, rare, and hard-to-find literary treasures in tents stretching out over five blocks of Dearborn Street from Polk Street north to Ida B. Wells Drive in Chicago’s historic Printers Row neighborhood, in addition to engaging literary events with local and national bestselling authors and more than 100 independent and diverse booksellers—plus spoken word performances, readings, writing workshops, and more. This year’s festival features a dedicated poetry tent with programming by The Poetry Foundation and a multitude of events geared towards children and young adults, offering familyfriendly fun and opportunities for writers and book lovers of all ages. Learn more at printersrowlitfest.org.

Aquatic Beats!

Shedd After Hours: House Party

W.hat better place to experience house music than overlooking the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan? Vibe with local DJs as they spin the beats. Catch your breath as you come face-to-face with fascinating animals from across the globe. Take in stunning, ocean-themed architecture fit for King Neptune. Admission ($39.95 / $19.95 for Chicago residents / $14.95 for Shedd Members) includes all aquarium exhibits and entertainment. Food and beverages are available for purchase. 21+, Photo ID required at 1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive. www.sheddaquarium.org/programs-and-events/shedd-after-hours/shedd-after-hours-house-party

A Close Shave!

'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’

“Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” has become a bloody worldwide success since winning eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, for its Broadway premiere. An infamous tale, Sweeney Todd, an unjustly exiled barber, returns to 19th century London, seeking vengeance against the lecherous judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, a resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop. Mrs. Lovett’s luck sharply shifts when Todd’s thirst for blood inspires the integration of an ingredient into her meat pies that has the people of London hungry for more. Stephen Sondheim’s and Hugh Wheeler’s tasty, thrilling, theatrical treat has simultaneously shocked, awed and delighted audiences around the world. Playing every Wednesday - Saturday at 7 p.m., and Sunday at 5 p.m. through November 6 at The Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., $40 at www. kokandyproductions.com/sweeney-todd/

You Can Dance If You Want To!

Dance the Walk

Links Hall is celebrating the Year of Chicago Dance with FREE performances and community workshops on the Riverwalk! Movers, makers, musicians (and perhaps a flash mob or two!) showcase the city’s dynamic dance scene. All are invited to take their turn on the “dance floor” at pre-show classes for all ages and abilities on September 10. At noon, a workshop begins on Japanese Festival Dance with Yoshinojo Fujima, aka Rika Lin. At 1 p.m., the performances start, featuring Shubukai and Tsukasa Taiko, Yoshinojo Fujima, Murda Mommy, and The Sampson Brothers. At Columbus Plaza, on the Riverwalk, just east of the Columbus Drive Bridge.

Sunday Funday!

Cooler by the Lake: South Shore Arts Party

Chicago Humanities Festival is partnering with South Shore Works to host a day-long Arts Party at the South Shore Cultural Center: pop in and out of mural painting, collaborative art installations, tours of South Shore, poetry readings, house music on the lawn, and more. Plus, join in on the big-name events CHF is known for: a chat with award-winning food blogger Michael Twitty on Black and Jewish cuisine, a podcast taping of the popular Some of My Best Friends Are… on what it means to be a Chicagoan, and live musical performances from the legendary Great Black Music Ensemble and Hypnotic Brass Ensemble. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. September 11 at South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 S. Shore Drive. FREE.

A New Beginning!

Alejandro Cerrudo: 'It Starts Now'

Internationally acclaimed choreographer and Pacific Northwest Ballet’s first Resident Choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo brings "It Starts Now," a silky, cerebral, and spellbinding work to the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St. "It Starts Now" is an invitation to be fully engaged in the present and a contemplation of the nonlinear nature of time. Eight dancers deconstruct the space of the theater in this dramatic, mind-bending work, Cerrudo’s first independent project, co-produced by Joyce Theater Productions. At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, September 8, tickets start at $20 at www.harristheaterchicago.org

Innovative Performance!

Comedy Dance Chicago

Comedy Dance Chicago’s unique style of comedy is sure to make your face hurt… from laughing! Their combination of sketch, physical comedy, and dance, along with word play, music, and overall goofiness, has entertained Chicagoland audiences for years. A different kind of comedy show, a different kind of dance show. Bring a blanket/chairs or a picnic to Northcenter Town Square, 4100 N. Damen Ave., for the FREE show at 7 p.m. September 10.

Pump Up the Jam!

Lot Jams

Lot Jams is a free, family-friendly music and dance series hosted by the North River Commission and the Albany Park Chamber of Commerce. At 6:30 - 9 p.m. on Thursday, September 8, catch Sama Sama Project. Translated as "united, together," Sama Sama Project began as a Chicago Filipino Folk Fusion band in 2008. The band truly lives up to its name, creating a blend of Filipino folk, rock, ska, and Latin music, inspired by a 1970s musical movement called

Manila Sound. Playing live at Heartland Health Center, 3737 W. Lawrence Ave. FREE.

Art in the Streets!

17th Annual Lakeview Festival of the Arts

The Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce hosts the 17th Annual Lakeview East Festival of the Arts, which showcases more than 125-juried artists featuring world-class original paintings, sculpture, photography, furniture, jewelry, and more, along Broadway from Belmont to Hawthorne. In addition to the diverse artists’ booths, the Festival also includes live music on multiple stages, a children’s play area, wine, beer and food booths, an interactive garden oasis and much more. Hours are Saturday, Sept. 10 from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. with additional hours for live music, food and drink tents until 10 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 11 from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. A $5 donation is requested for admission. Visit http://www.lakevieweastfestivalofthearts.com for more information.