The Mix — Cool Things to Do 02.10.12
February 8, 2012 6:28PM
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BLOODY GOOD SHOW
“El Mari Chi Chi: A Robert Rodriquez Burlesque,” is a parody of writer/director Robert Rodriguez’ 1992 low-budget, bloody, action flick “El Mariachi,” which turned out to be a cult classic box office success, taking in more than $2 million. The story is the tale of a mariachi guitar player tracking down the gang lord that killed one of his girls and shot up his hand. Curtain is 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at Gorilla Tango Theatre, 1919 N. Milwaukee. Tickets, $20 (18+over). The production, written by Salsation Theater Company, runs through March 31. Call (773) 598-4549; gorillatango.com.
MONSTER MOBILES
Monster trucks square off in a “battle of the best” during the Advance
Auto Parts Monster Jam Feb. 10-12 at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim, Rosemont. Local competitors include George Balhan debuting his Mohawk Warrior, and Frank Krmel and his AAP Grinder. Other festivities include a pit party (Feb. 12) saluting the 30th anniversary of Grave Digger, the iconic granddaddy of monster trucks. Pablo Hufacker will be at the wheel of a newly designed Grave Digger. Also slated to compete are Avenger and El Toro Loco, among others. Show times: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11-12. Admission is $20; $10 for ages 12 and under. Visit monsterjam.com.
NIGHT LIGHT
Dramatic images will drape Millennium Park’s Cloud Gate sculpture and its surrounding plaza buildings in color and dramatic images when “Luminous Field,” an interactive sight and sound exhibit by artistic ensemble Luftwerk opens at 6 p.m. Feb. 10 at Michigan and Washington. Third Coast Percussion’s Owen Clayton Condon’s musical score enhances the visual spectacle. Music and dance performances will take place in an adjacent heated tent throughout the event’s run. The temporary installation, free to view, lights up 6-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 6-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, through Feb. 20. Visit explorechicago.com.
GIRL POWER
“Chicago Syle,” billed as the world’s largest women’s gymnastics meet, comes to Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand. More than 4,000 participants age 6-22 from across the country will compete in the three-day event Feb. 10-12. Competitors kick off the meet with a march-in ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10. Admission is $15. A schedule, listed by sessions, is available at chicagostylemeet.com.
IRISH PRIDE
A visual feast of Irish singers and dancers costumed in traditional festive clothing light up the stage during “Celtic Fire” at 8 p.m. Feb. 10 at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena, Aurora. Tickets, $38-$48. Call (630) 896-6666; paramountaurora.com.
HEARTFELT NOTES
Feel the love when Keith Sweat (left), Fantasia and Eric Benet join for “All About Love” a Valentine’s Day concert at 8 p.m. Feb. 14 at Arie Crown Theatre, 2301 S. Lake Shore. Tickets, $59-$69. Call (800) 745-3000; ticketmaster.com.
CHICAGO SOUNDS
Chicago Mixtape — a spirited enterprise that delivers an album of cool, new, local music to your in-box every week — is celebrating its one-year anniversary with, of course, a big concert. In that first year, Chicago Mixtape has spread the love of more than 300 bands (from brand newbies to icons like Andrew Bird and the Sea & Cake) and had to move its home-based start-up to a commercial level of service because of the bandwidth demand from more than 250,000 downloads. That means they could use some coin, and this weekend’s concert — featuring talented locals such as Elephant Gun, the Shams Band, Architecture and the Damn Choir, plus an art show — is a fund-raiser. Music starts at 8:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at Subterranean, 2011 W. North. Tickets: $10. Call (773) 278-6600; subt.net or chicagomixtape.com.
GET YOUR MOTOR RUNNIN’
Chicago has hosted an auto show extravaganza 104 times (the first was in 1901), and this year is no exception, as the Chicago Auto Show — the largest auto show in North America — returns Feb. 10-19, to McCormick Place, 2301 S. Lake Shore. More than 1,000 vehicles will be on display. Hours: 10 a.m. -10 p.m. through Feb. 18; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Feb. 19. Admission: $7-$11; free for kids 6 and under with a paying adult. Visit chicagoautoshow.com.
SONG IN HER HEART
Chicago’s musical leading lady and songbird, E. Faye Butler, whose list of awards and accolades include six Joseph Jefferson Awards, a Helen Hayes Award, Barrymore Award, three Black Theatre Alliance Awards and the 2011 Sarah Siddons Award, performs in concert. Pianist Jeremy Kahn accompanies the singer during her “My Funny Valentine” concert at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph. Tickets, $15-$25. Butler is slated for induction into the National Museum of Women in the Arts later this year. Call (312) 742-8497.
BELAFONTE SPEAKS OUT
Singer, actor and civil rights advocate Harry Belafonte (inset) is the guest speaker during St. Sabina’s 2012 African American Speaking Series at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10 at the St. Sabina Sanctuary, 1210 W. 78th. Tickets, $20. Call (773) 483-4300.
DON’T MISS
Lifeline Theatre continues its tradition of adapting novels for the stage with Elise Blackwell’s “Hunger.” Set during the 900-day Nazi seige of Leningrad, the drama, adapted by Chris Hainsworth, revolves around a Russian botanist who is charged with protecting a cache of valuable seeds. But the brutal regime and the harsh realities of war make his task one of life and death. The show runs through March 25 at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood. For tickets ($32, $35), call (773) 761-4477; lifelinetheatre.com.
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