New Riverwalk art
Take a stroll and check out the two new public artworks added to the Chicago Riverwalk. Taking inspiration from the people of Chicago, street artist Don’t Fret has painted the 55 portraits found in “The People in Your Neighborhood,” a reflection of the people who, according to the artist, “contribute to the hard work that defines our city.” And Kate Lynne Lewis’ eye-catching mural “The Radiance of Being” (180 feet tall on two levels) celebrates the Art Deco architecture and motifs of Chicago buildings found near the Riverwalk. For more information, visit chicagoriverwalk.us.
Megan in concert
It’s Saturday night fever with Megan Thee Stallion. The rap star, who launched two No. 1 smashes this year with “Savage” with Beyoncé and “WAP” with Cardi B, will hold her first live virtual concert on Saturday at 5 p.m. The hour-long show is being produced by Live Nation and tickets cost $15. The concert will mark the rapper’s first performance since she was shot in the foot last month after a party in the Hollywood Hills.
Metal on film
Metallica joins the ranks of bands performing via film at drive-in theaters across the country including the two area Chicago Drive-In locations: 7000 S. Harlem, Bridgeview, and 5333 Prairie Stone Pkwy., Hoffman Estates. Filmed in Northern California, the concert features material from throughout the band’s nearly four-decade career. The Canadian band Three Days Grace opens the show at 8:30 p.m. Aug. 29. Tickets are $115 per car with a six-person limit. Visit ticketmaster.com.
World stage
The International Voices Project returns with eight free readings of works by playwrights from around the world: “Jauria” by Jordi Casanovas, “Take the Rubbish Out, Sasha” by Natal’ya Vorozhbit, “All Adventures Women Do” by Tanja Sljivar, “Testosterone” by Rebekka Kricheldorf, “Decomposed Theatre” by Matei Visniec, “Second Nature” by Pipsa Lonka, “The Boatman” by Sameh Mahran and “A Distinct Society” by Kareem Fahmy. Each reading is followed by a talk back and a Q&A session with members of the production. Stream at 7 p.m. Wednesdays Sept. 2-Oct. 21. Visit ivpchicago.org.
Irish beats
We Banjo 3, a bluegrass band based in Galway, Ireland, and Nashville, gives a nod to its Irish heritage with a virtual music festival, Follow the Light, which brings artists and fans together for a celebration of community. In addition to We Banjo 3, performers celebrating Irish traditions include Gaelic Storm, Sharon Shannon, Nathan Carter and The East Pointers. The live stream begins at 4 p.m. Aug. 29. Tickets: $12. For more information, visit webanjo3.com.
Songs & stories
While Jeff Daniels (“Terms of Endearment,” “The Newsroom”) is best known as an Emmy-winning actor, he’s also a prolific recording artist, guitarist and songwriter. With his Midwestern straightforwardness (he grew up in Chelsea, Michigan, and still resides there with his family), his live shows blend songs and stories into his own brand of Americana. Daniels performs a virtual concert, presented by City Winery, at 8 p.m. Aug. 27. Stick around after the performance for an audience Q&A. Tickets are $15. Visit citywinery.com/chicago.
Reopened exhibits
The Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton, reopens Aug. 28 with the free exhibit “Renaissance Invention,” an exploration of how Europeans in the Renaissance embraced cutting-edge tech even as they debated its costs to society. For more information, visit newberry.org. Reopening on Aug. 29 is the Driehaus Museum, 40 E. Erie. A new exhibit, “PAN: Prints of Avant Garde Europe, 1895-1900,” explores the visual and literary arts magazine PAN, one of the first avant-garde magazines to feature work by Aubrey Beardsley, Auguste Rodin, Georges Seurat and many others. Admission is $10-$20. For more information, visit driehausmuseum.org.
Blues bash
The Chicago Blues Network and the Kalamazoo Valley Blues Association present “BluesStream: A Chicago/Kalamazoo Blues Party,” a six-hour celebration of blues music, culture and history. Performers from Chicago include Billy Branch, Johnny Burgin, Joanna Connor, Katharine Davis, Billy Flynn, Fruteland Jackson, John Kattke, Dave Specter and Harlan Terson; artists from Kalamazoo include Larry McCray, AMays and Blue and Out of Favor Boys Trio. Pay-what-you-can with donations benefiting musicians and local organizations. The party streams from 2-8 p.m. Aug. 30. For more information, visit athomechicagoblues.com or kvba.org.
Handbag full of fun
Hell in a Handbag Productions opens its vaults to present “Under the Stars with Handbag: A Drive-In Festival,” featuring films of some of its most popular shows: “The Golden Girls, the Lost Episodes, Vol. 4” (Aug. 28-29), “Caged Dames” (Sept. 4-5) and “Bewildered” (Sept. 11-12). The festival concludes with something new from Handbag: “Airport 1970something,” a screening of the film “Airport 1975,” dubbed by some of Chicago’s favorite performers. The screenings begin at 8:30 p.m. in the parking lot of Red Box Workshop, 4242 W. Bryn Mawr. Tickets are $40-$80 and include popcorn and non-alcoholic beverage. Visit handbagproductions.org.
Mary Houlihan is a local freelance writer.
Contributing: AP Music Editor Mesfin Fekadu
