Arts & (Home) Entertainment Recommendations

Science meets Art!

'Astrographics' on theMART

Starting Thursday, April 1, the world premiere of "Astrographics," a 16-minute piece developed in collaboration with the Adler Planetarium and presented in partnership with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, will run nightly at 8:30 & 9 p.m. through July 4 on the exterior of the Merchandise Mart. Astrographics will explore ways in which humans conceptualize and visualize their universe, and how that has changed over time. The piece will consist of four movements (Earth, Other Worlds, Stars and Beyond) which will transport the viewer from Earth to other planets and stars, then out to deeper and more speculative realms. Each of these movements features scientific visualizations based on real data showing the scale of the universe. The visuals, produced by the Adler Planetarium, are woven together with imagery from the world’s telescopes and works on paper from the Adler’s collections. Accompanying the projection will be music from the Sun Ra Arkestra archives from the Experimental Sound Studio. "Astrographics" artistically showcases both historic perceptions of space and more recent advances in the understanding of the universe. Visit artonthemart.com/adler/ for more information.

Easter Ritual!

Jesus Christ Superstar Do It Yourself Messiah Complex

The Conspirators announce the return of the Jesus Christ Superstar Do-It-Yourself Messiah Complex, an evening of variety and sing-along in love and adoration of the album version (1970) of the Tim Rice/Andrew Lloyd Webber rock opera. The Jesus Christ Superstar Do-It-Yourself Messiah Complex is a multi-disciplinary neo-vaudeville variety show. The concept is to “do” or “play” the entire album in order, in a celebratory, salon-like atmosphere. It’s one night only, Easter Sunday, April 4 at 7 p.m. online via Facebook Live. The link will be posted at 6 p.m. on The Conspirators Facebook page (www.facebook.com/conspirewithus).

Book Talk!

'Eye to Eye: Portraits of Lesbians'

Join Women & Children First for a virtual author conversation 7 p.m. April 1 featuring JEB (Joan E. Biren) and Alison Bechdel, cartoonist and creator of the Bechdel test. The two authors will be discussing “Eye to Eye: Portraits of Lesbians,” JEB's first self-published book, a work that was revolutionary for 1979. In a work that was revolutionary for its era, JEB made photographs of lesbians from different ages and backgrounds in their everyday lives--working, playing, raising families, and striving to remake their worlds. The photographs were accompanied by writings from acclaimed authors including Audre Lorde, Adrienne Rich, Joan Nestle, and others. Various women pictured in the book also shared their personal stories. “Eye to Eye” signaled a radical new way of seeing–moving lesbian lives from the margins to the center, and reversing a history of invisibility. Reprinted for the first time in 40 years, “Eye to Eye” is a faithful reproduction of a work that still resonates today. This edition features additional essays from artist and writer Tee Corinne, former World Cup soccer player Lori Lindsey, and photographer Lola Flash. Register for FREE at www.womenandchildrenfirst.com/event/author-conversation-jeb-alison-bechdel

Local Theater!

'Pedro Páramo'

Goodman Theatre continues its virtual season with “Pedro Páramo” by Raquel Carrío, directed by Flora Lauten. The performance is streaming free and on demand, March 29 – April 11, presented in Spanish with closed captioning provided in English and Spanish, Cuba’s formidable theater innovators, Flora Lauten and Raquel Carrío of Teatro Buendía, stage one of the greatest magical realism tales in Latin American literature—Juan Rulfo’s 1955 novel "Pedro Páramo." The story follows a son who returns home to meet his father and reveals how one man’s unchecked appetite destroys both everything he loves and the town that made him great. Goodman Theatre’s worldpremiere production of "Pedro Páramo" was created by Teatro Buendía with Chicago artists over an eight-week residency in Chicago and Havana, Cuba.

New Superstars!

Rising Star Showcase

Through April 4, Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra presents its 12th annual Rising Star Showcase virtual fundraising concert. Tickets are $15 at ipomusic.org. The Rising Star Showcase features solo performances by young musicians ranging in ages from 12 to 18 who reside in Flossmoor, Frankfort, Lemont, Park Forest, as well as Valparaiso, Indiana. The annual program is emceed by Albert M. Jackson, director of the South Holland Master Chorale, and is presented by “The Friends of the IPO,” a volunteer group that supports the orchestra by hosting several fundraising activities, helping with mailings and other activities. All proceeds benefit IPO.

Classical Redefined!

IPO Reimagined

Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) continues its popular IPO Reimagined virtual season with the orchestra’s first-ever solo performance concert series filmed in IPO’s beautiful home venue, Ozinga Chapel at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, now available to stream through March 31. The hour-long concert spotlights six IPO musicians—Marilyn Bourgeois (piano), Beth Bryngelson (flute), Ricardo Castañeda (oboe), Erin Kozakis (bassoon), Kerena Moeller (cello), and Concert Master Azusa Tashiro (violin)—who pair their performances with personal insights that reveal their affinity for the works they’ve selected. Tickets are $15 and are now available at ipomusic.org. All proceeds benefit IPO

the Story Behind the Story!

At This Time, At This Place: Literary Arts Lab Launch Reading

Francisco Cantú, Douglas Kearney, and Kristen Radtke will discuss “The Line Becomes a River,” “Sho” and “Seek You: Essays on American Loneliness,” presented in partnership with the University of Chicago program in creative writing. Francisco Cantú is a writer, translator, and the author of "The Line Becomes a River," winner of the 2018 Los Angeles Times Book Prize and a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award in nonfiction. Douglas Kearney is a poet, performer, and librettist who has published seven books that bridge thematic concerns such as politics, African-American culture, masks, the Trickster figure, and contemporary music. Kristen Radtke is the author of the genre-smashing graphic memoir, “Imagine Wanting Only This.” Her next book, “Seek You: Essays on American Loneliness,” received a 2019 Whiting Creative Nonfiction Grant. March 31, 6 p.m. Register at www.semcoop.com/event.