Things to do in Chicago May 6-12: Zac Brown Band, “ Tom of Your Life ”
A day well spent
After spending years in Hollywood, musician-actor-writer Jer Sklar returned to Chicago to attend DePaul University Film School. His master’s thesis in cinema, “Tom of your life” debuted on DVD last fall and will now have a six-day broadcast May 7-13 at the Music Box Theater (3733 N. Southport). Sklar stars in the story of a baby who inexplicably ages four years an hour. Sun-Times film critic Richard Roeper called the film “charming, brilliant and poignant”, adding that he liked “the skillful storytelling and universally excellent performances.” Others in the film include Baize Buzan, James Sharpe, Paul Tigue, and the legendary Mike Nussbaum. Filmmakers and actors will attend the evening screening of May 8, starting with a free pre-show event at 5:45 p.m., which includes music from Sklar’s band The Blackstrap Molasses and a Q&A. Tickets: $ 11. Visit musicboxtheatre.com.
Zac is back
While it seems like a return to live concerts is on the horizon, virtual events are still the way to go. The last to participate is a Grammy Award winner Zac Brown Band. The event, televising live at 8 p.m. on May 8, will feature the musicians revisiting some of their greatest hits of the past two decades. There is also a recall event with the group answering questions submitted by fans. Tickets: $ 19.99, VIP packages are also available. Visit sessonslive.com/zacbrownband.
A Greek master
Wrightwood 659 presents a new exhibition, “Yannis Tsarouchis: Dancing in real life” the first American retrospective devoted to the work of the artist widely regarded as one of the greatest Greek painters of the 20e century. Featured, some 200 works, including paintings and works on paper that span the arc of the artist’s career. Tsarouchis (1910-1989) is known for his male portraits and nudes, but the theater was also a source of inspiration. He designed the set and costumes for Maria Callas’ 1958 performance as Medea at the Dallas Civic Opera as well as the sets for Samuel Beckett’s plays staged in Paris and Thessaloniki, Greece. The exhibition runs from May 7 to July 31. Tickets: $ 15 available online only. Visit wrightwood659.org.
Happy Mother’s Day
Jarrott Productions presents the world premiere of “A portrait of my mother” written and performed by Carlo Lorenzo Garcia, in which he tells the story of his mother’s journey to motherhood. Airing at 7 p.m. on May 9. Tickets: $ 5. Visit jarrottproductions.com. … Grammy Award-winning jazz artist Kurt Elling executed “A toast to mum” ($ 75) May 7-9 live at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph. There is also a livestream of the show at 5 p.m. on May 9 ($ 20). Visit citywinery / chicago.com /. … The Mother’s Day show from the storytelling collective 2nd Story is “We are all ourselves: stories about taking charge and taking charge”, featuring new stories from Ana P. Martin Sagredo, Betsey Manzoni and Kimberlee Soo. Broadcast at 6 p.m. on May 9. Tickets: pay what you can. Visit 2ndstory.com. … Neo-Futurists Present Mother’s Day Perk for Chicago Birthworks Collective Featuring “The egg key: 30 eggs played in 60 egg minutes.” Live broadcasts at 3 p.m. on May 9. Tickets: $ 18. Visit neofuturists.org.
Birthday music
the Chicago Institute of Music celebrates its 90th anniversary with a virtual gala at 6 p.m. on May 10. Highlights include the presentation of the Dushkin Award to Maestro Zubin Mehta, the Chicago Cultural Visionary Award to Linda Theis Gantz and Wilbur “Bill” Gantz, and the Colburn Award for Teaching Excellence to Nina Wallenberg and Daniel Wallenberg. The evening also includes a performance recorded by former Institute of Musician and former Dushkin Prize-winning violinist Rachel Barton Pine, as well as messages recorded by other former Dushkin recipients including jazz artist Wynton. Marsalis and violinists Joshua Bell, Midori, Pinchas Zukerman and others. Free entry; donations appreciated. Visit musicinst.org/anniversary-gala.
No chatter
the Chicago Silent Film Society presents three classic films from the early days of cinema: Harold Lloyd in “Safety Last!” (May 12), Buster Keaton in “The Navigator” (May 19) and Charlie Chaplin in “Shoulder Arms” (May 26). All tee times are 7:30 pm at the Pickwick Theater, 5 S. Prospect, Park Ridge. Tickets: $ 10. Visit silentfilmchicago.com/events/.
Virtual stage
Oak Park Festival Theater features a virtual production by Matt Barbot “The Venetians”, a work that brings together various characters from several Shakespeare plays to address contemporary issues. Directed by Eddie Torres, the play airs May 8-16. Tickets: $ 25. Visit oakparkfestival.com. … A theater of red orchids audio version of Exal Iraheta “Last Hermanos”, a drama that finds two Latinx men on the run who face the conflict over the desire for revolution and the other’s need to get back to normal, is available until May 16. Tickets: $ 15. Visit aredorchidtheatre.org/lh-info/. … From May 6 to June 19 Metropolis Performing Arts Center (111 W. Campbell, Arlington Heights) presents an outdoor production by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken “Little shop of horrors.” Tickets: $ 35, $ 40. Visit metropolisarts.com.
Mary Houlihan is a freelance writer from Chicago.
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