For most of the year, MPAACT, the long-established company that develops, nurtures and produces African-centered theater grounded in “the many cultures and traditions of the African continent and its diaspora,” focuses on full-length plays. But during the summer, things get a little looser, with a Summer Jam program that offers a big mashup of performance

Continue reading →

Intrigued by the glimpse of Indian classical dance woven into Mary Zimmerman’s production of “The Jungle Book” at the Goodman Theatre? Then you might want to take a peek at “Savitri,” the U.S. premiere of Preeti Vasudevan’s solo dance-theater work that bears the subtitle, “Dancing in the Forest of Death.” “Savitri,” which follows the journey

Continue reading →

Chicago’s Deeply Rooted Dance Theater (DRDT), whose repertory focuses on works inspired by the African diaspora, has announced its plans for what promises to be a very busy summer and fall season. Among the highlights: Representing the U.S. at a major contemporary dance festival in South Africa in September, and launching “Generations,” a multigenerational repertory

Continue reading →

Complaints about MTV not showing music videos have been around longer than this year’s class of high school graduates, but there is good news for those of us old enough to remember watching Carson Daly after school (or the actual network launch if you’re THAT old) – MTV will be airing music videos from 6

Continue reading →

If you were thinking about grabbing tickets to the Pitchfork Music Festival later this month, you’d better hurry. Their official Twitter account says Sunday passes are almost sold out. Here’s the full (and fantastic) lineup – FRIDAY, JULY 19 – gates at 3 p.m. 8:30 p.m. – (Green) Björk 7:20 p.m. – (Red) Joanna Newsom

Continue reading →

For the 33rd consecutive year, Taste of Polonia will take over the Northwest Side on Labor Day weekend, bringing 32 different bands and just about as many different kinds of pierogi. The festival at the intersection of Lawrence and Milwaukee runs from 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30 through 10 p.m., Monday, Sept. 2. Bands include

Continue reading →

The Northwest Chicago Film Society, one of the city’s premier repertory cinema programmers, will move its base of operations to the Patio Theatre, beginning next week. The group had been presenting its weekly screenings at the Portage Theater, which closed suddenly in late May. Since then, it has taken refuge at the Music Box and

Continue reading →

In 2003, he beat out Clay Aiken to become the season two champ of “American Idol.” Ten years later, the portly Ruben Studdard is hoping to come out a winner again. This time, Studdard will be a contestant on “The Biggest Loser,” NBC’s hit reality weight-loss series, which will return in the fall. According to

Continue reading →

According to a recent scoop from the Hollywood Reporter, NBC is developing a sketch comedy show helmed by former Comedy Central senior vice president of original programming Lou Wallach. (An NBC spokeswoman could not be reached for comment.) While there’s no title yet — or even, apparently, a solid premise — NBC supposedly is looking

Continue reading →

Jimmy Buffett always has a trick up his tropical sleeve. Who would have thought he would turn the renovated FirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island lawn into the Everglades? Hundreds of Buffett fans complained about muddy conditions on the lawn, which as Buffett pointed out during his Saturday night concert, was the former Meigs Field

Continue reading →