The Mix: Cool things to do in Chicago July 9-15

Social action artwork auction

A new platform, Future Galerie, debuts with an online art auction donating 100% of the proceeds to support social justice organizations taking action to end systemic racism. The artist list includes Max Sansing, Adam Lucas (formerly Hanksy), JC Rivera, Kate Lynn Lewis, Dont Fret, Mauricio Ramirez, Marco Miller and more. Each online auction lasts 8-10 days. Throughout the auction, artists will go live on their Instagram pages to offer insight about their work. For more information, visit futuregalerie.com.

Hershey Felder Presents

Beethoven’s life & legacy

After offering a successful stream of “Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin” in May, the Chicago favorite returns with his tribute to Ludwig Van Beethoven. Streaming live from Felder’s home in Florence, Italy, “Hershey Felder: Beethoven” brings the composer to life through the eyes of Dr. Gerhard von Breuning, who spent his boyhood by the aging maestro’s side. The one-man musical play features some of the composer’s iconic works including the “Emperor Concerto,” the 5th and 9th Symphonies and chamber music selections. A portion of the proceeds benefits theater and arts organizations. Streams at 7 p.m. July 12; tickets are $55. Visit hersheyfelder.net.

David Becker/Getty Images

Streaming Shakespeare

While New York’s Public Theater has cancelled its annual Shakespeare in the Park festival, it hasn’t given up on “Richard II.” Originally scheduled as the season opener, the history drama will instead be presented over four nights as a radio play conceived and directed by Saheem Ali and streamed via the public radio station WNYC. Most of the cast scheduled to perform in Central Park, predominantly actors of color, are featured including Andre Holland (“Moonlight”) as Richard and Phylicia Rashad as the Duchess of Gloucester. What unfolds is a story of the rise of the House of Lancaster, one filled with violence and revenge. Streams at 7 p.m. July 13-16 on wnyc.org. For more information, visit publictheater.org.

Sun-Times file

Celebrating Woody

The Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, the annual celebration held in Okemah, Oklahoma, on and around the legendary songwriter’s birthday (108 on July 14), is a free virtual event this summer. The long list of folk and Americana artists performing includes Arlo Guthrie, the Burns Sisters, Butch Hancock, Glen Hansard, Graham Nash, Jason Mraz, John Fullbright, Mary Gauthier, Paul Burch, Sarah Lee Guthrie, Tim Easton and many more. The festival streams from 7-9:30 p.m. July 14, 7-11 p.m. July 18 and 2-4:30 p.m. July 19 with panels and workshops from noon-7 p.m. July 18. For more information, visit woodyfest.com.

Museum of Contemporary Photography

Images of Puerto Rico

The Museum of Contemporary Photography has reopened with the exhibit “Temporal: Puerto Rican Resistance,” an exploration of Puerto Rico’s contemporary history documenting protests, life during and after Hurricane María and the art of the resistance. Artists include Christopher Gregory-Rivera, Natalia Lassalle-Morillo, Mari B. Robles López, Eduardo Martínez, Ojos Nebulosos, Adriana Parrilla, Dennis M. Rivera Pichardo, Erika P. Rodríguez, Edra Soto, SUPAKID, and Rogelio Báez Vega. To ensure a socially distanced viewing experience, there is timed ticketing; face masks are mandatory. To Aug. 30 at Museum of Contemporary Photography at Columbia College, 600 S. Michigan. Admission is free. Visit mocp.org.

Charles Osgood

Mississippi music

Michael J. Miles celebrates the release of “Mississippi River Suite,” a song cycle inspired by a concert he performed at the East Moline Correctional Center. Inspired by the river that cuts the country in two, he creates an evocative portrait of a divided nation and what it will take to set it right. It’s “political art with a shoutout to those who care and do good,” says Miles. Performing with Miles (banjo, guitar) are Zahra Glenda Baker (vocals), Lloyd Brodnax King (flute) and Nora Barton (cello). All funds benefit the Old Town School Staff and Faculty Assistance Program. The livestream begins at 7:30 p.m. July 10. Visit oldtownschool.org.

Family activities

While the National Museum of Mexican Art remains closed, the staff has found creative ways for families to stay busy. The At Home with NMMA site includes a variety of coloring sheets that feature classic Mexican figures like Alebrijes (folk art creatures), Otomi-inspired textile designs and Calaveras (skulls) as well as puzzles, I Spy games, word searches and craft activities. For more information, visit nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org.

Bucktown Community Organization

Explore Bucktown

The Bucktown Garden Walk & Block Party is now the Bucktown Neighborhood & Garden Walk. It’s morphed into a self-guided socially responsible celebration of all things Bucktown. Beginning July 11, a downloadable map of public art, landmarks, schools, churches, parks, gardens (along parkways and in front yards only) and other notable places is available. Also musicians will be performing porch concerts throughout the weekend. For more information, visit bucktown.org.

Mary Houlihan is a local freelance writer.