March 14 - 20, 2022

March 14 - 20, 2022 Vol. 30 No. 11

2

$

$1.10 goes to vendor

4

Arts & (Home) Entertainment

6 8

SportsWise

14 15

More and more events are happening in Chicago, and we want you to know about the best of the best!

The SportsWise team discusses DePaul men's basketball.

Cover Story: concert guide

Chicago has no shortage of impressive bands that come through town on their tours, and there is also a long list of beloved local venues where we can wander out and catch music any night of the week. Kathleen Hinkel shares her suggestions of shows to check out this spring!

Inside StreetWise

Vendor A. Allen discusses various forms of homelessness.

The Playground ON THE COVER: Charli XCX performs at Pitchfork Music Festival at Union Park on July 21, 2019 (photo by Kathleen Hinkel). THIS PAGE: Tori Amos (photo by Desmond Murray).

Dave Hamilton, Creative Director/Publisher

dhamilton@streetwise.org

StreetWiseChicago @StreetWise_CHI

Suzanne Hanney, Editor-In-Chief

suzannestreetwise@yahoo.com

Amanda Jones, Director of programs

ajones@streetwise.org

Julie Youngquist, Executive director

jyoungquist@streetwise.org

Ph: 773-334-6600 Office: 2009 S. State St., Chicago, IL, 60616

LEARN MORE AT streetwise.org

DONATE

To make a donation to StreetWise, visit our website at www.streetwise.org/donate/ or cut out this form and mail it with your donation to StreetWise, Inc., 2009 S. State St., Chicago, IL 60616.

We appreciate your support!

My donation is for the amount of $________________________________Billing Information: Check #_________________Credit Card Type:______________________Name:_________________________________________________________________________________ We accept: Visa, Mastercard, Discover or American Express

Address:_______________________________________________________________________________

Account#:_____________________________________________________City:___________________________________State:_________________Zip:_______________________ Expiration Date:________________________________________________Phone #:_________________________________Email:_________________________________________

ARTS & (HOME) ENTERTAINMENT RECOMMENDATIONS 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 things you do at home and why you love them to Creative Director / Publisher Dave Hamilton at dhamilton@streetwise.org

You're a Winner, Baby!

Winning Works from Joffrey Ballet The Joffrey Academy of Dance presents the world premiere of winning works from its 12th annual Choreographic Competition following a national call for ALAANA (African, Latinx, Asian, Arab and Native American) artists. Works of Audrey Ipapo Baran, Edson Barbosa, Taylor Carrasco, and Derick McKoy Jr. will be featured. ALAANA was created to recognize talented and emerging choreographers and provide them with a platform to showcase their art. Each winning choreographer was awarded a $5,000 stipend. The four works will be performed March 18 at 7:30 p.m., March 19 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and March 20 at 2 p.m. at the Edlis Neeson Theater of the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at joffrey.org. Digital access to the in-person performance will be announced later.

Shakespeare Reimagined!

Upon This Shore: A Tale of Pericles and the Daughters of Tyre Journey to new shores with the Idle Muse Theatre Company’s production of “Upon This Shore: A Tale of Pericles and the Daughters of Tyre,” a new adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Pericles, Prince of Tyre” by Artistic Director Evan Jackson. This magical adventure follows the journey of characters as they are shipwrecked over and over again, separated from everyone and everything they ever knew, but always reaching out to find themselves again. The play runs through April 3 at The Edge Off-Broadway Theater, 1133 W. Catalpa Ave. Performances are scheduled Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10-20 at idlemuse.org.

(HOME) ENTERTAINMENT

Repurposed!

4

Agave!

More agave please! The Chase Gallery at the Epiphany Center for the Arts, 201 S. Ashland Ave., presents the expansive group exhibition “Agave!” until April 9. The exhibition features artwork made from discarded agave leaves from mezcal production in Oaxaca, Mexico.

With increased production of mezcal, discarded leaves of this “tree of wonder” are left to reabsorb back into the soil, disrupting local ecosystems and their communities. The 20 artists featured in this exhibition have responded to this crisis by creating art out of the waste, transmuting these simple agave leaves into elaborate rugs, garments, and more. In support of “Agave!,'' Epiphany has partnered with S.A.C.R.E.D to help improve the lives of rural Mexican communities where heritage agave spirits are made. A special conversation with “Agave!” co-curator and artist Kiff Slemmons will be in the sanctuary from 6-9 p.m. on March 15. Register for free at epiphanychi.com.

Preserving a Legacy!

Irish Genealogy Research Program: Ulster Historical Foundation May the luck of the Irish be with you as you join the Newberry Library’s Irish Genealogy research program led by veteran genealogists Fintan Mullan and Gillian Hunt of the Ulster Historical Foundation, a self-funded organization that combines expertise in family history research with publication of historical and genealogical books. The program will last from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and will describe the ins and outs of genealogical research focused on the Emerald Isle and how to get started with researching emigrant ancestry from the north of Ireland. The schedule includes an introduction to Irish and Scots-Irish Family Research, information related to archives, records related to different churches, census substitutes, 18th and 19th century sources and a general Q&A. The hybrid event will be March 16 in Ruggles Hall, 60 W. Walton St., and on Zoom. Attendance is free, but advance registration is required at newberry.org.

Italy in Chicago!

Lyric Opera’s 'Tosca' Take a trip to Italy and the romantic streets of Rome during Lyric Opera of Chicago’s presentation of “Tosca” by Giacomo Puccini. The two hour and 50 minute performance is sung entirely in Italian with projected English texts.

Follow the story of the irresistible and influential Floria Tosca, painter and revolutionary Mario Cavaradossi, and chief of police Baron Scarpia, as they navigate doomed love, political intrigue, murder and unbridled passion. This season's “Tosca” will make Lyric history with the first presentation of two Black artists on stage together as Tosca and Mario and the debut of Eun Sun Kim as the first Asian woman to conduct a Lyric performance. The opera runs March 12 - April 10. Tickets start at $39 at lyricopera.org.

The Magnificence of Egypt!

Art Institute of Chicago Presents: Life and Afterlife in Ancient Egypt Dance like an Egyptian to the Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave., for “Life and Afterlife in Ancient Egypt,” which will be on display for the first time in 10 years. The gallery will showcase over 3,000 years of art from ancient Egypt and explore the concepts of life and afterlife from this illustrious, North African culture. The display will house over 80 objects and an audio guide exploring the cultural significance of the selected works will be available. General admission for Chicago residents is $14-$20 (free to Chicago teens age 14-17) and $19-$25 for Illinoisans and other residents. The museum is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays. Visit artic.edu for more information.

Hollywood Glamor!

Windy City Playhouse “Sons of Hollywood” Visit Windy City Playhouse, 3014 W. Irving Park Road, for a night of glitz and glam in “Sons of Hollywood” by Barry Ball and Carl Menninger and directed by David H. Bell. Relive the golden days of Hollywood in this dramatic tale of silent film stars Ramon Novarro and William Haines as they enjoy their time as Hollywood royals— but only until the Motion Picture Production Code ends its acceptance of gay stars.

Forced to grapple with the new, oppressive film industry, the two men, along with their starlet friend Lucille LeSueur, must choose between love or their passion for the screen.

“Sons of Hollywood” performances are 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through April 17.

Tickets are $55+ at windycityplayhouse.com.

Covid & Art!

Sheri Rush 'Chasing Light' March 19 is the closing date for Sheri Rush’s “Chasing Light” in the Sacristy Gallery at the Epiphany Center for the Arts, 201 S. Ashland Ave. Rush is a Chicago-based artist whose practice includes photography and collage. Recent awards include a fullyfunded residency to the Pouch Cove Foundation in Newfoundland and a grant from the Illinois Arts Council for her show at the Evanston Art Center. “Chasing Light” examines the impact of COVID-19 on her artistic and emotional process and the stillness of being isolated. The museum is open by appointment only at epiphanychi.com

If it Ain't Barogue. . . .!

Music of the Baroque: Classical Heroines These leading ladies don’t need a hero to sing. Visit the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., for a night of “Music of the Baroque: Classical Heroines” led by Nicholas Kraemer.

“Classical Heroines” explores 18th century tension between the traditional operatic heroine's role as wife, girlfriend, lover and the sheer power behind the female voice. Baroque specialist Amanda Forsythe (soprano) will join Kraemer for an evening of arias and orchestral drama featuring the works of Handel, Haydn, and Purcell at 7:30 p.m. March 20.

Tickets are $35+ and can be purchased at baroque.org.

-Compiled by Cora Saddler

www.streetwise.org

5

Vendors Russell Adams, John Hagan and Donald Morris chat about the world of sports with Executive Assistant Patrick Edwards.

SPORTSWISE

Patrick: First off, a big Thank You to Roger Uy in the DePaul University Athletics department. Roger, via the Marketing & Community Outreach, has blessed us here at StreetWise, with the opportunity to see the DePaul Blue Demons men’s basketball team live versus the Red Storm of St. John’s. Although I was unable to make it, a number of our vendors did, including a couple of the SportsWise team members.

Fellas, what do you got?

Donald: Well, the buzz in the lobby was enough to get me pumped. We had to show our proof of vaccination, but that was okay. Shoot, I had my nephew with me, who’s a huge basketball fan and an even bigger DePaul Blue Demons fan, and we were ready, man. We had good seats behind the backboard and could hear dang near everything on the court even when the sound equipment wasn’t entertaining! The coaches shouting encouragement— and curses—the cheerleaders twisting and stomping rhythmically; I could even hear my neighbors’ chewing the heck out of their popcorn. Crazy, man.

Russ: And DePaul won!

Patrick: So you’re saying it was more than just popcorn and cheerleaders and shouting going on?

Russ: Yes!

Donald: Man, y’all silly.

John: Unfortunately, I didn’t make it either, but I watched it on TV and was thoroughly impressed with the way DePaul managed to keep the lead for so long. Usually, whenever there’s a push by the favorite, which was St. John’s in this case, often the underdog will bend and break to the stronger team’s will—not the case this Sunday.

Russ: Well, it’d been a while for me to see a game live, so I was excited to check it out.

Now, while the game was a very good one, I don’t believe the team, itself, will make many waves in the tournament—assuming they make the NCAA tourney or the NIT—but they’re still my team…and, today, they won as an underdog.

Donald: A well-earned victory.

Russ: Agreed. Now, one of the best things about this game was the crowd. The fans were outstanding and engaged and that only helped to get me hyped and eager for the clash.

Patrick: Word on the street is that both you and Don are big fans of the women’s Blue Demons team. Do the men compare?

Russ: I’ll let Don speak on that as well, but, for myself, the women are doing a bit better than the fellas are at the moment. Winning championships and upping the nearfuture goals over at DePaul, and for us in the city of Chicago.

Donald: Well, you know I feel the same for the most part in regard to the women’s basketball team; however, for me, it’s more. It’s the morerhythmic appeal of the women’s game. The guys are more

aggressive with it, a lil’bit stronger with the ball and the moves, etc. But, I’ll tell you, the game somewhat brought me back to what’s good about all youthful sports: these young adults are “becoming:” they’re growing into who they’ll eventually be.

It’s cool to help guide them into being good players and people. That’s why I enjoyed the very-little booing from the crowd. These kids are too young to have to deal with rejection—especially rejection when they’re out there trying their best to make it happen.

John: Donald, I’d never thought about it in that way.

Patrick: Me, too, Don. You’re going to make me reconsider sending out the “boos” at these college games; I’m just gonna boost my cheers to balance it all out.

Any comments or suggestions?

Email pedwards@streetwise.org

7

Pi o Li d m sA to cu ar

&

Ro

pe

M

Sh

ov el s

Spring 2022

CONCERT GUIDE

by Kathleen Hinkel

The past 2 years have been a challenging time for all of us,

especially musical artists who have not been able to perform in front of live audiences. For many artists, COVID has been a time to reflect on the state of the world and create art accordingly. Multiple artists in this guide have created fresh work in the pandemic and this spring will be their first time on the road to test out new material developed while on lockdown. Chicago has no shortage of impressive bands that come through town as a stopping point on their tour and there is also a long list of beloved local venues where we can wander out and catch music any night of the week. Here are a few suggestions of shows to check out Alt-J this spring. Be sure to catch local acts Don Lifted, Marcus Atom, Dos Santos and Wilco, among the rest!

rs

ta

ll s

oy A

ey b

The Hideout 9:30 pm $15 1354 W. Wabansia Ave. Chicago artist Marcus Anthony Johnson, known as Marcus Atom, has recently released his debut album of catchy soulful tracks with Love vs. War. A known session musician who has collaborated on several projects as a drummer and backup singer, Marcus Atom’s arrival as a solo artist has been brewing for some time with many of the tracks on the album being written over several years. Love vs. War introduces us to a thoughtful artist who intimately sings about personal experience. “I hope listeners go through the same rollercoaster of emotions as I did creating it,” he says of the album.

Concord Music Hall 8 pm $20 2051 N. Milwaukee Ave. The Knocks will host their electronic dance party at Concord Music Hall on April Fool’s Day. Before their rise to success, the electronic duo would get a lot of knocks on their door from neighbors asking them to turn the music down, which is the origin of their name. The Knocks have produced beats for several of pop music’s biggest names, such as Katy Perry, Britney Spears and Nikki Minaj.

They have released two albums and are known for successful singles such as “Classic” with POWERS and “Kiss the Sky” with Wyclef Jean.

Gr

March 25

MARCUS ATOM

April 1

THE KNOCKS

n

WEEN

Riviera Theatre 6:30 pm $59+ 4746 N. Racine Ave. Ween is an eclectic rock 'n' roll band.

From their earliest days, founding musicians Gene and Dean Ween (stage names) have claimed to be “sprouted from the demon-god Boognish” and the music they have produced in their nearly four decades together has maintained an essence of obscure storytelling that is beloved to their cult-like following. Their music draws from various genres, often paying tribute to their wide range of musical influences, which include Prince, the Beatles, Dead Kennedys, Pink Floyd and Parliament Funkadelic.

W ee

im

i en

ta

Ga

rc

ia

Pe o

March 19 + 20

Thalia Hall 8 pm $28 1807 S. Allport St. The folk Americana duo Shovels & Rope is composed of married artists Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent, who have received continued acclaim since debuting as a pair in 2012 with the album O’ Be Joyful. Both artists play multiple instruments throughout their set, each taking turns with percussion, guitar, leading vocals, backing vocals and harmonica. It’s a lovely metaphor for the shared responsibilities of any relationship, band, friendship, or marriage.

Their most recent album Manticore draws on the ups and downs of life, love and parenthood.

ks

ple

March 31

SHOVELS & ROPE

oc

s

Schubas Tavern 8:30 pm $20 3159 N. Southport Ave. Garcia Peoples is an indie rock band that is uniquely fronted by three guitars and a lot of effects pedals that together create a psychedelic sound that emulates a 1960’s Haight Street vibe. Guitarist Danny Arakaki has described the music as “the Acid Quiz,” but don’t be fooled by these details or their name. They are not a Grateful Dead cover band. Their experimental sound is uniquely their own, carrying on Jerry Garcia’s tradition of creating distinctive and adventurous rock n’ roll.

Park West 8 pm $30 322 W. Armitage Ave. Soul jazz funk 5-piece the Greyboy Allstars saw an opportunity to create music and connect with their fans during the COVID lockdown. They developed a four-part livestream series for fans to enjoy from home, which aired as Soul Dream. Taken from this series of COVID performances are the 10 tracks that make up their new album Get a Job, which is being released the same day they play Park West. It’s the quintet's first tour in five years. The musicians that make up the Greyboy Allstars are household names in the worlds of jazz and funk: Karl Denson, tenor saxophone/flute; Elgin Park, guitar; Aaron Redfield, drums; Chris Stillwell, bass; Robert Walter, Hammond B3, keyboards.

Kn

March 19

GARCIA PEOPLES

April 1

GREYBOY ALLSTARS

e

LIDO PIMIENTA

Empty Bottle 8:30 pm $28+ 1035 N. Western Ave. “Pimienta often writes from the perspective of someone who has drunk deep from the poisonous wells of misogyny and racism,” Pitchfork’s Peyton Thomas said of afroindigenous, queer feminist Lido Pimienta in a review of the Canada-based Colombian artist’s most recent album Miss Colombia.

The content of Pimienta’s work powerfully explores indigenous inequality and racism while embracing self-love and expressing solidarity. Musically, the artist draws from Afro-Latin musical traditions and contemporary rap artists such as Cardi B.

THIS PAGE: The Knocks photo by Joe Perri.

Greyboy Allstars photo provided by The Kurland Agency.

Ween photo provided by Red Light Management.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Marcus Atom courtesy photo.

Shovels & Rope photo by Leslie Ryan McKellen.

Lido Pimienta photo provided by Anti-.

Garcia Peoples photo provided by Riot Act Media.

Th

MARCH 30 + 31

www.streetwise.org

9

April 22 + 23

LORDE

a ub ex C Al

April 4

SONS OF KEMET

Lincoln Hall 8 pm $25 2424 N. Lincoln Ave. Sons of Kemet is a propulsive jazz quartet led by “defiantly forward- (and outward-) looking” musician Shabaka Hutchings. A central figure in London’s jazz scene, Hutchings plays in a variety of groups; Sons of Kemet has a soul, calypso influence that ties to our present moment.

The quartet's latest album, Black to the Future, was described by Pitchfork as a “body-moving record, advocating through music that change comes from speaking directly about collective oppression.”

Sons of Kemet are Shabaka Hutchings on saxophone, Theon Cross on tuba and percussionists Edward Wakili-Hick and Tom Skinner. Chicago musician Angel Bat Dawid is a collaborator on Black to the Future.

April 7

ALEX CUBA

Old Town School of Folk Music 8 pm $30 4544 N. Lincoln Ave. Grammy-winning, Cuban-Canadian musician Alex Cuba may reside in a remotely situated town in the mountains of British Columbia, but when he sings, he delivers the soulful warmth of Cuba. The acclaimed Latin singer-songwriter will be performing at the Old Town’s School’s Maurer Hall in

10

Evanston SPACE 7 pm $20+ 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston 8th generation Louisiana Creole musician Terrance Simien is a two-time Grammy winner who has been bringing zydeco music to audiences for over four decades and over 9,000 concerts. The accordionist is a wellrespected American roots musician who has been an integral to the preservation of Louisiana musical traditions. Sidelined from the road during the COVID pandemic, Simien kept busy by creating a new album, campaigning for Allen Toussaint’s “Southern Nights” to be the first Louisiana state song ever written by a Black artist and assisting in the curation of a zydeco exhibit for the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville.

April 16

DON LIFTED

Schubas Tavern 9 pm $13 3159 N. Southport Ave. Don Lifted is a multidisciplinary Memphis artist who brings his low-key hip-hop show act to Schubas. His 2021 album 325i could be described as mellow hip-hop but the artist resists the limits of genre labels and suggests the album be described as pop. It’s an album about personal evolution through the turbulence that the past two years have brought. In addition to being a musical artist, Don Lifted is a poet and visual artist whose work portrays narratives of displaced Africans living in America. His work has been displayed at galleries and museums throughout the mid-South.

WILCO

Auditorium Theatre 7:30 pm $85+ 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive It has been 20 years since the release of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, one of the most acclaimed indie rock albums of the new millennium. Over the course of their career, Wilco have come to be as iconic to Chicago’s musical landscape as the Marina City Towers are to the city’s architectural landscape. (The view looking up at the towers adorns the cover of their 2002 masterpiece album.) The band performs three shows as part of the We Are Trying to Break Your Heart tour to celebrate the LP’s big birthday.

When not working as a musical artist, Jeff Tweedy has notably given his time to designing T-shirts for GiveAShi*t, an organization that raises money for StreetWise.

April 23

DOS SANTOS

Schubas Tavern 8 pm $10 3159 N. Southport Ave. “Dos Santos have reframed the narrative of what Latinx music is or should be, unafraid to spotlight our collective struggles. They’ve catapulted traditional music in a new, borderless direction and become a symbol of success” wrote Sandra Treviño for the Chicago Reader in praise of Dos Santos’ 2021 album City of Mirrors. The Chicago-based quintet has been creating provocative music from the Americas since their debut in 2013, drawing on traditional rhythms from Latin and South America, musically crossing borders while honoring cultural roots, addressing migration and social justice and looking forward to the future.

o

APRIL 15

TERRANCE SIMIEN & THE ZYDECO EXPERIENCE

April 22, 23 + 24

il c

support of his pandemic album Mendó, which is a collaboration with some of Latin music’s biggest stars. Alex Cuba is a completely independent artist known for his vast musical vision that reaches far beyond his Cuban roots. A celebrated musician who produces, composes, sings and plays multiple instruments on all his projects.

W

Lo

rd

e

Do

sS

an

to

s

Chicago Theatre 7:30 pm $200+ 175 N. State St. “Born in the year of oxycontin,” the opening line of Lorde’s most recent LP, Solar Power, reminds you right off the bat that despite being a household name for nearly a decade, the 25-year-old artist Lorde remains youthful and delivers her take on the world as she grows. She describes the vibe of her most recent work as a sonic lyrical walk through a “psychedelic garden.”

The whimsical ambience of the album is a departure from the energy of 2017’s Melodrama, and it will be thrilling to see how she presents her new work alongside her instant classics of yesterday such as “Royals” and “Green Light.”

April 24

LP

ok

um

LP

Lincoln Hall 8 pm $18 2424 N. Lincoln Ave. This quote from Joy Oladokum, speaking about words, reflects the understanding of language that the artist brings to their songwriting. “Words are such a powerful tool. I remember all of the best and worst things anyone has ever said to me. I love and respect the ability of words to touch on the physical realm… people are traumatized by words or uplifted and encouraged to change their lives and careers by them.”

Last year the Queer Black singer-songwriter released an album, In Defense of My Own Happiness. On her music: “When you listen to me, I want you to feel like you’ve taken an emotional shower.”

Aragon Ballroom 7:30 pm $39.50+ 1106 W. Lawrence Ave. For a decade, Charli XCX has delivered her own brand of pop that challenges the tired/naive notion that pop music can only be formulaic fluff. Charli XCX has been called the MySpace Prodigy because her rise to fame came through posting music on the platform when widespread social media was still in its infancy. Her 5th studio album, Crash, is due to be released on March 22 and this tour brings her through Chicago just after its release. Charli XCX draws inspiration from a wide range of pop influences such as Kanye West, Madonna, Kate Bush, the Cure Weezer and Britney Spears.

lad

JOY OLADOKUM

CHARLI XCX

yO Jo

April 27

April 29

X XC

Thalia Hall 7:30 pm $40+ 1807 S. Allport St. In the 2000’s, Passenger was a five-person band that released one album. One of the members of that band was Michael David Rosenberg, who continued to perform under the moniker Passenger after the band’s breakup in 2009. In 2012 Passenger catapulted to mainstream success with the single “Let Her Go” and has been productively releasing work ever since. In 2021 they released the LP Songs for the Drunk and Broken Hearted, an album released one year late due to the COVID lockdown.

A portion of album sales will go to combat deforestation worldwide.

lie

PASSENGER

ar

April 26

Ch

The Vic Theatre 7:30 pm $34+ 3145 N. Sheffield Ave. LP is an American musician known for their emotionally charged pop vocals and songwriting prowess. Their writing credits include songs for big name acts such as Rihanna, Cher, the Backstreet Boys, and Céline Dion, but they’ve gathered a devoted following of their own through electrifying performances and the great success of the 2015 single “Lost on You.” Their most recent album, 2021’s Churches, is their sixth studio album. It’s an experimental reminder of LP’s honest songwriting and affecting vocals.

May 3

GANG OF YOUTHS

The Metro 8 pm $27.50 3730 N. Clark St. Gang of Youth’s new music fuses their knack for soaring melodies, indelible hooks and dynamic rock uplifts with a love of neoclassical, minimalist composers and experimental sampling. The Australian indie rock quintet comes through Wrigleyville in May. Their most recent album, 2017’s Go Farther In Lightness was widely praised with one reviewer (perhaps boldly) drawing comparisons to Dylan Thomas’ “Do not go gentle into that good night.” Sonic poetry is an apt description of Gang of Youths.

May 10

ORION SUN

Lincoln Hall 8 pm $18 2424 N. Lincoln Ave. “Tiffany Majette wanted to be an astronaut; instead, she turned to music. As Orion Sun, she writes songs that hover and drift along, tenderly excavating past traumas and recent relationships.” Pitchfork’s Dani Blum wrote this fitting introduction to Orion Sun with a review of 2020’s Hold Space for Me. Orion Sun is a noteworthy queer Black multi-instrumentalist performing contemplative indie soul and drawing from R&B, hip hop and jazz influences.

May 20

LUCIUS with CELISSE

Riviera Theatre 8 pm $27.50 4746 N. Racine Ave. Lucius is a four-piece band that is known for its two frontwomen Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig, who dress identically for performances and provide luminous vocals.

They will be touring upon the release of Second Nature, their fourth studio album, which will be released April 8. The album is produced by their fan and friend Brandi Carlile who also sings backup vocals with Sheryl Crow on one of the songs. This pop album encourages you to find joy in the darkness that has come with the last few years. They will be joined by rocking vocalist and guitarist Celisse Henderson.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Alex Cuba photo provided by Paquin Artists Agency.

Lorde photo by Ophelia Mikkelson Jones.

Dos Santos photo by José Calvo.

CENTER: Wilco photo by Anton Coene.

THIS PAGE: Charli XCX photo by Kathleen Hinkel.

Joy Oladokum photo by Nolan Knight.

LP photo by Ryan Jay.

www.streetwise.org

11

So

fi T uk

ke r

Ro

be

rt

Pl an

t&

Al

is o

n

Kr

au

ss

that is about to be released. The singer has already released a single named "KING" from the album and has promised via his Instagram that is will be the “album of the year.”

May 27 + 28 VILE and the

Da d

ju

KURT VIOLATORS

May 23

BAKAR

Park West 7:30 pm $25 322 W. Armitage Ave. Rising North London star Bakar just released his debut album, Nobody’s Home, which follows his successful 2019 single “Hell N Back.”

The artist is a multi-instrumentalist who pulls from various genres to create his work and has been compared to the late star Amy Winehouse, who was also from North London. Drawing from varying influences creates a unique flare for Bakar’s experimental music, which lyrically digs deep emotionally and speaks to matters of social justice.

May 25

TORI AMOS

Auditorium Theatre 7:30 pm $70+ 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive Mezzo-soprano, pianist, one-time child prodigy and activist Tori Amos comes through Chicago on the Ocean to Ocean tour, which is the singer’s 16th studio album. The album was written while in

12

COVID-19 lockdown and explores “a universal story of going to rock bottom and renewing yourself all over again.” The album features the hallmarks of Amos’ work, a powerful sense of composition and poetic witty lyrics, while addressing global issues such as the environment and personal struggles, like the recent loss of her mother.

Thalia Hall 7:30 pm $38+ 1807 S. Allport St. Master songwriter and indie psych rock musician Kurt Vile comes through Chicago with his band for the first time post-pandemic this May. The singer counts songwriting greats Neil Young, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan among his influences and it’s evident in his writing. The Philly-based artist has joked that he’s “Philly’s Constant Hitmaker” and he is one of the city’s most beloved and successful rock artists. His most recent album (watch my moves) was recently released.

June 1

DADJU

Concord Music Hall 7:30 pm $45 2051 N. Milwaukee Ave. French R&B singer and rapper Dadju is from a musical family; his father was a Congolese singer and he is the brother of acclaimed rap artist Gims. Previously he was a member of the duo The Shin Sekaî before embarking on a successful solo career in 2017. This June he makes a rare trip to Chicago to perform, presumably in support of a third album,

June 3

SOFI TUKKER

Radius Chicago 8 pm $31+ 640 W. Cermak Rd. Sofi Tukker is an electronic dance pop duo that takes direct inspiration from Brazilian rhythms and poetry. The duo is made up of two friends who met while studying at Brown University in Rhode Island, Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern. They’re best known for their songs “Drinkee,” “Best Friend,” and “Purple Hat.” During the the COVID-19 quarantine, the duo livestreamed over 400 performances from home daily, reaching over 400 performances. They’ve used the livestreams as a means of working through new material and recently released a new song “House Arrest,” which was developed during this time.

June 7

ROBERT PLANT and ALISON KRAUSS

Jay Pritzker Pavilion 5:30 pm $60+ 201 E. Randolph St. When Alison Krauss and Robert Plant originally formed their super duo, it seemed like an unlikely genre pairing.

She is one of the most Grammy-winning female (bluegrass) vocalists of all-time while he is rock 'n' roll royalty as part of Led Zeppelin. Nevertheless, the album they created when they formed in 2007, Raising Sand, was a Grammy-winning effort; providing new life into the covers they were recording. Fourteen years later, the pair is back touring with another album, Raise the Roof, featuring mostly folk rock covers and produced by the legendary T-Bone Burnett. Pitchfork’s review praised the two’s ability to breathe new life into existing work they cover, “With versions that bend and reshape the originals, they once again leave their imprint on a well-curated songbook that suits their mystical nature. They dig deeper into the corners of American music and by doing so, come up with something far more rare and incisive about its past.”

Dadju photo courtesy of Totem Entertainment.

Sofi Tukker photo courtesy of Primary Talent.

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss photo by David McClister.

www.streetwise.org

13

Vendor a. Allen: Variations on ChicAGO HOMELESSNESS

by A. Allen

In Chicago, there are many types and levels of homelessness. I may not cover them all, but to give readers an idea of what I am talking about, there is the grown adult who is past due for living on their own, but who instead lives with their parents. This can be controversial, but nevertheless, as harsh as it is, these people are homeless in the worst way because they don’t see it – But it is what it is.

Then, there are shelters in Chicago such as Pacific Garden Mission that allow you to stay for the night, but you have to be in at a certain time.

There are also recovery homes set up to help people recover from alcohol or drug addiction. People stay there until they recover. It’s a start, but it’s not like you now have a home. Let’s not deceive ourselves concerning recovery homes.

There is also transitional living, like the YMCA. Been there and done that. Yes, I almost thought I was home, until the program lost funds and we were all homeless again.

INSIDE STREETWISE 14

Bus and train homelessness is another form. This is where you go to the library mostly all day and ride the bus or train mostly all night. Then there is couch surfing, where you stay with friends and family on a regular basis.

The homeless outdoor type sleeps under bridges, in tents, on Lower Wacker Drive, in abandoned houses, garages, in cars and under porches. This was my choice. I did cars, under porches, abandoned houses and garages. This was the hardest because you literally live in the elements: the harsh and brutal weather of Chicago. The Windy City can get to 40 or 50 degrees below zero with the wind chill factor. I was so cold I took pain pills.

The only thing I can think of that would be worse is living in Alaska in an igloo – or without an igloo.

To live outside in Chicago is rough during the winter season.

1 to 9.

Streetwise 3/6/17 Crossword

Sudoku

To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

©2017 PuzzleJunction.com

59 Just for men 60 Warner Bros. creation 61 Mormon State city 62 Draft choice 63 Host’s request 64 Burden

Down 1 Say for sure 2 Voracious marine fish 3 Golf ball position 4 Blight victim 5 Backside 6 Mishmash 7 Biology lab supply 8 Fountain treat

9 Criminal offense 10 Slur over 11 Continental money 12 King topper 15 Calif. airport 17 Foreigner 21 Perfect 23 Cry from a crib 24 Accelerator bit 26 Play group 27 Lily family member 28 ___ de deux 29 Athlete of the Games 31 Farm pen 32 Note 33 Egyptian solar deity 34 Smidgens

37 38 40 42 43 45

46 47 48 49 50 51 53 54 57 58

Old World vine Angler’s hope Acquires Lend a hand Vessel section Innermost sanctuary in ancient temples Utopian Key material Handbills Sugar bowl marchers Automobile trunk, once Dwarf buffalo Preowned Cognizance Peruvian coin Sense of self

Copyright ©2017 PuzzleJunction.com

Copyright ©2010 PuzzleJunction.com

©PuzzleJunction.com

last week's Solution Puzzle Answers

Solution

Solution

Find your nearest StreetWise Vendor at

PuzzleJu

Crossword Across 1 Stadium souvenirs 5 Dog biscuit, e.g.

10 Therefore 14 Vitamin tablet supplement 15 Goodness 16 Kind of instrument 17 Poisonously 19 Unpopular spots 20 Short-tailed lemur of Madagascar 21 Mets, Jets or Nets 22 Notices 23 Bier 25 Early time 27 Son of Cain 30 Categorized 33 Water show participant 36 Ranch newborn 38 SaintGermain’s river 39 “Catch-22” pilot 40 Cradlesong 42 Otto ___ Bismarck 43 Newspaper type 45 Bad to the bone 46 Money, informally 47 Green light 49 Jagged 51 Deadly 53 Employers 57 Henhouse 59 Mountain lion 62 Pink-legged bird

©2017 PuzzleJunction.com

63 Choir member 64 On an earlier episode 66 Order to a broker 67 Organic compound 68 Commuter line 69 Like fine wine 70 Coquette 71 “What ___ can I say?”

Down 1 Kind of duty 2 Sports facility 3 Swimming holes 4 Explore underwater 5 Wee hour 6 Defeat decisively

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 18 24 26 28 29 31 32 33 34 35 37 40

Irish offshoot World record?

Endocrine gland Expunction Open to ideas Kind of pool Horace volume Demeanor Vegetarian staple Like a busybody ___ slaw Bisect Carbon compound Job for a body shop Soft drink Extended periods Pupil of Plato Animal shelter Wildcat

41 Amorphous mass 44 Name of many Austrian rulers 46 Shrug or V sign, e.g.

48 Woman’s fur shoulder cape 50 Mediocre 52 Whammy 54 Rope fiber 55 ___ Island National Monument 56 Fashion 57 Hombre’s home 58 Couturier Cassini 60 Prefix with physical 61 Ancient greetings 65 Hot temper

www.streetwise.org

How StreetWise Works

All vendors go through an orientation focusing on their rights and responsibilities as a StreetWise Magazine Vendor. Authorized vendors have badges with their name, picture and current year.

Buy the Magazine, Take the Magazine Vendors purchase When you buy the magazine, take the the magazine for $.90 and sell it for magazine, and $2.00 plus tips. The read the vendor keeps all of magazine, you are supporting our their earnings. microentrepreneu rs earning an income with dignity.

New vendor orientation is every Tuesday and Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at 2009 S. State St. Find your nearest vendor at www.streetwise.org

THE PLAYGROUND

StreetWise exists to elevate marginalized voices and provide opportunities for individuals to earn an income and gain employment. Anyone who wants to work has the opportunity to move themselves out of crisis.

StreetWise provides “a hand up, not a handout.”

Solution

15