Warming temperatures mean it’s time to get out there and strut. From book signings to variety shows, there’s something coming up for everyone’s walking speed.
Sweet Void Cinema screenings
sweetvoidcinema.com
The Humboldt Park-based production company and microcinema Sweet Void Cinema (3036 W. Chicago, Suite 1W) collects shorts from local filmmakers and screens them monthly as a recurring festival. In June, screenings will happen on several Saturdays (6/10 and 6/17) as well as Wednesdays (6/7, 6/14, and 6/21). Each screening day, 24 films are divided between three blocks that start at 5 PM, 7:30 PM, and 10 PM. This month’s batch includes titles like Hell INC, Balloons Overhead (instrumental) by [⭐], and “(ಥ_ಥ) ✧_My parents are cia PSY0PS_!!!* ಠ_ಠ.” These events are free and open to the public, but masks are required. Don’t sweat if you forget, though; the venue will happily provide one.
Richard Bellia
Through 6/22: Mon-Fri by appointment, Rangefinder Gallery at Tamarkin Camera, 213 W. Institute Pl, Suite 403, tamarkin.com
An exhibition of renowned French rock ’n’ roll photographer Richard Bellia’s work is opening in June at the Rangefinder Gallery at Tamarkin Camera. Bellia began taking pictures in 1980 and has made a career of working mostly in silver gelatin, an analogue process that produces black-and-white photos. Early subjects included Don Letts, Henry Rollins, and Siouxsie. From 5-8 PM on Friday June 9, Bellia will give an artist’s talk—but if you’re serious about going, make a reservation and get there early to guarantee a seat. Space is limited to 30 people, and there is a $25 suggested donation for the event. To see the show outside these hours, appointments are available Monday through Friday and can be made through Tamarkin’s website.
Fortune dance party
Featuring DJ Blesstonio, DJ Zeetus Lapetus, DJ Ctrl Zora, and host Kennedy. Fri 6/23, 9 PM, Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln, $10-$15, 21+
Elevate (Official Pride in the Park after party)
Featuring Gettoblaster, Lady D, DJ Zeetus Lapetus, and more. Hosted by Jayjay, Sal-E, and Ammo. Sat 6/24, 9 PM, Cerise Rooftop, Virgin Hotel Chicago, 203 N. Wabash, $30-$550, 21+
On Sun 6/4, Chicago’s intergalactic funk DJ Zeetus Lapetus debuted Art Haus, their new variety show at Schubas (3159 N. Southport). Each installment features members of local creative communities performing pieces as, or inspired by, characters from iconic movies. For Art Haus’s first installment, the cast will paid homage to the archetypal characters of The Breakfast Club. Lapetus played Vice Principal Vernon, “the dick.” Rock ’n’ roll noisemakers Heet Deth performed as Bender, the “criminal.” Postpunk soul soldiers Orisun played Allison, the “basket case.” Genre-bending sister duo Lilla Sol played Claire, the “princess.” Drag artist Flaming Homosexual played Brian, the “brain.” And club DJ Julian Forever played Andrew, the “athlete.” Go to Zeetus Lapetus’s Instagram to find out when the next Art Haus will be scheduled and see notices of their other upcoming appearances.
Comedy Open Mic at Cole’s Bar
Wednesdays: sign-up starts at 7:15 PM and performances begin at 8 PM. Cole’s Bar, 2338 N. Milwaukee, free, 21+, colesbarchicago.com
Are you a budding Lenny Bruce, Mrs. Maisel, or Gallagher? Then you probably know Cole’s is a great—and free!—place to cut your comedy teeth. Do you also know that the venue’s legendary Wednesday night open mikes now start earlier? You used to have to arrive as early as 5 PM to crack the 8:15 PM start of sign-up just for a chance to perform before midnight. Woof! Sign-up time now starts an hour earlier at 7:15 PM, with performances kicking off at 8 PM. And if that still doesn’t get you in before midnight? See if bringing brisket helps . . . The next weekly Comedy Open Mic happens Wed 6/7. And sorry, you must be 21+ to hang at Cole’s.
Easily Slip into Another World: A Life in Music
Book launch with authors Henry Threadgill and Brent Hayes Edwards, including a conversation hosted by Howard Reich. Sat 6/10, 2 PM, Corbett vs. Dempsey, 2156 W. Fulton, free, “space is limited and first come, first serve,” corbettvsdempsey.com
However, you can be any age to hang at Corbett vs. Dempsey. At 2 PM on June 10, the gallery hosts a conversation between Brent Hayes Edwards and Henry Threadgill, one of the most important living voices in Black avant-garde music. The pair will be joined by jazz critic Howard Reich to discuss Threadgill’s new memoir, Easily Slip into Another World: A Life in Music, which the pair worked on together. This event is free.
Thai Festival Chicago
Featuring food and drink vendors and performances including Thai classical music, Muay Thai kickboxing, and traditional Thai dance. Sat 6/10, 10 AM-9 PM, and Sun 6/11, 11 AM-7 PM, Thorek Memorial Hospital parking lot, 851 W. Irving Park, free (“donations welcome”), facebook.com/thaifoodfestivalchicago
You can also be any age to enjoy Thai Festival Chicago, which is presented by the Thai American Association of Illinois. It’s happening Sat 6/10 and Sun 6/11 in Thorek Hospital’s parking lot. While this event is technically free, there’s a $5 suggested donation—but is that really a lot to pay to bask in the tastes and traditions of Thailand? Over 30 vendors from Chicago’s Thai community will be present, including food and drink vendors sure to become your next go-to for takeout.
Soil Stories in North Lawndale
Sun 6/11, 1 PM, African Heritage Garden, 1245 S. Central Park, free, reservations requested at Eventbrite
Also happening Sun 6/11 is Soil Stories, a volunteer-based gardening event in North Lawndale. This will be the first of two such events led by Advocates for Urban Agriculture (AUA), a nonprofit that focuses on sustainable agriculture and environmental justice. Join AUA at African Heritage Garden, where Dr. Shemuel Israel will guide participants through an “embodied garden tour,” inviting visitors to use all their senses to appreciate herbs and produce grown throughout the garden. Then Dr. Akilah Martin will lead a reflection ceremony and teach participants about soil health and reciprocity. To close out the day, everyone will work together to give back to the garden as service work to the earth.
Mattie Lubchansky in conversation with Tony Breed
Mon 6/12, 6 PM, Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State, free with first come, first-served seating. The event will livestream on Chicago Public Library’s YouTube channel as well as its Facebook page, and be archived on YouTube for future viewing.
Mattie Lubchansky in conversation with Sage Coffey
Tue 6/13, 6 PM, Challengers Comics, 1845 N. Western, free
Beloved cartoonist, political satirist, and Twitter personality Mattie Lubchansky will be in the Windy City this month to promote their new graphic novel, Boys Weekend. Publisher Penguin Random House says that the book is “a hilarious trans-‘final girl’ horror graphic novel about a bachelor party gone very, very wrong.” At 6 PM on Mon 6/12, Harold Washington Library Center (400 S. State) hosts a conversation between Lubchansky and local cartoonist and CHIRP Radio cofounder Tony Breed. This event is free and open to the public. If you can’t make it, there’s still hope: At 6 PM on Tue 6/13, Lubchansky will also be in conversation with local cartoonist Sage Coffey at Challengers Comics (1845 N. Western). This event is also free and open to everyone, so bring someone cool!
Datanet
Fri-Sat 6/16-6/17, 8 PM, Digital Art Demo Space, 2515 S. Archer, Suite 2, $15-$20 donation requested
Bridgeport’s Digital Art Demo Space, known more affectionately as D.A.D.S. (2515 S. Archer, Suite 2), is one of the premier spots to catch boundary-pushing new media in the city. They’ve hosted some bananas music performances recently, so my hopes are high for Datanet, two nights of adventures in deeply digital music happening Fri 6/16 and Sat 6/17. Night one includes Xtkakeru, Runk, Ikra, Zimbolt, Narwall, and Im_naku, while night two features Fyzika, Mayor of Texas, Sayori, Schwank, Avas, and Sushiferret. Each night costs $20 ($15 in advance). Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at dadschicago.com/tickets.