The Mix – Cool Things to Do 01.25.13
January 23, 2013 4:54PM
Ava Luna
Article Extras
Updated: February 26, 2013 6:10AM
FEELIN’ GROOVE-Y
If Steely Dan worked to sound like the actual future, rather than Donald Fagen’s nostalgic 1950s Worlds Fair perspective on it, they might sound something like Brooklyn’s Ava Luna. A thrilling, lurching, bewildering, surprising frenzy of genre-splicing, this sextet’s club shows are peppered with grooves and glitches. It’s headbanging dubstep, it’s postmodern soul, full of sound and fury. Summer Girlfriends and Celestial Shore open at 9:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western. Tickets: $7. Call (773)276-3600; www.emptybottle.com.
MURPHY’S LAW
So he broke up one of indie-rock’s most beloved electronic projects. You’re not the boss of James Murphy. Since the demise of LCD Soundsystem was smartly chronicled in the documentary “Shut Up and Play the Hits,” Murphy has moved on to other film work, various collaborations (a track with Brit-rockers Pulp just surfaced) and occasional DJ sets. At 10 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Mid, 306 N. Halsted. Tickets: $25. Call (312) 265-3990; www.themidchicago.com.
THE ULTIMATE ‘X’PERIENCE
Ultimate Fighting Championship figther Mark Munoz, on the road in support of Xyience Xenergy, signs autographs from 3-4 p.m. Jan. 26 at the GNC store in North Riverside Mall, 7501 W. Cermak, North Riverside. Visit www.xyience.com .
GOOD HARE DAY
Here’s “What’s up, doc?” Warner Bros.’ 20th annivesary of Bugs Bunny at the Symphony is at 3 and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26 and 3 p.m. Jan. 27 at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan. Created and conducted by George Daugherty, operatic numbers include “The Rabbit of Seville.” Special guest appearances by Tom and Jerry, Scooby Doo and the Flintstones. Tickets are $35-$115. Recommended for ages 5 and up, infants will not be admitted. Visit www.cso.org .
SNOWED IN
These snow days were not meant for staying home. Head over to Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand, for Snow Days Chicago Jan. 25-27. Weekend activities include snow sculpting competitions, snow games for kids and a snowman hat toss. New this year is an interactive snowboarding experience. Hours are 4-8 p.m. Jan. 25; 11 a.m to 8 p.m. Jan. 26; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 27. Admission is free. Visit www.navypier.com .
‘TRUTH’ BE TOLD
R&B singer Otis Clay celebrates 50 years in the business with a show featuring songs from his new release “Truth Is” along with old favorites that includes his hit single “Trying to Live My Life Without You.” For the golden anniversary Clay might even throw down a little gospel, which is where he got his start and has remained active in the genre throughout his career. The show is at 9 p.m. Jan. 26 at FitzGerald’s, 6615 W. Roosevelt, Berwyn. Tickets are $15. Visit www.ticketweb.com .
‘JAMES’ TOWN
Jose James’ 2013 tour, in support of the release of his new album “No Beginning No End,” hits town 9 p.m. Jan. 30 at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln. Tickets are $15-$18. Visit www.lincolnhallchicago.com .
SPEEDY RECOVERY
Flogging Molly, who formed in 1997 after a downturn in the economy left them in need of scrambling up new nest eggs, performs in support of their new album “Speed of Darkness,” a euphemism for their lives’ tailspin, at 7 p.m. Jan. 26 at Aragon Ballroom, 1106 W. Lawrence. Skinny Lister and Dave Hause open. Tickets are $29-$35. Visit www.aragon.com .
BELAFONTE SPEAKS OUT
Singer, actor and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte is the keynote speaker during a Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration at 6 p.m. Jan. 28 at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall at Northwestern, 50 Arts Circle, Evanston. Admission is free. A screening of “Sing Your Song,” a documentary on Belafonte’s life is at 2 p.m. Jan. 26 in the Mary and Leigh Block Museum, 40 Arts Circle. Visit www.tic.northwestern.edu .
DON’T MISS
SoxFest 2013 is Jan. 25-27 at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel, 17 E. Monroe. Current and former Sox players scheduled to attend include John Danks and Tyler Flowers along with baseball greats Frank Thomas, Carlos May and Greg Luzinski. Activities include autograph and photo sessions, seminars and a giveaways. Hours are 4-9 p.m. Jan. 25; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. jan. 25; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 27. General admission is $35. Call (312) 609-1915; www.whitesox.com .
SPACE AGE
Explore the final frontier and beyond through the eyes and music of filmmaker/electronic musician Kenji Williams during his electrifying production Bella Gaia: A Poetic Vision of Earth from Space, which utilizes NASA visuals for a more gripping effect, at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at Dominican University, 7900 W. Divison, River Forest. Tickets are $24-$29. Visit www.dom.edu/pac .
FROM THE BENCH
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor discusses her book My Beloved World, which recounts her life growing up in a Bronx housing project, at 6 p.m. Jan. 30 at Harold Washington Library, 400 S. State. Visit www.chicagopubliclibrary.org .
