Chicago Calendar for June 15, 2012
By Kathy Russell June 15, 2012 10:58AM
Updated: June 19, 2012 4:35PM
Fly across the Universe, take in a street fest, listen to some great music and more with these top Chicago entertainment events.
The Featured Five
WELCOME TO THE UNIVERSE: Take a mind-blowing tour of the Universe like no other at the Adler Planetarium. Welcome to the Universe is the next adventure departing from the Grainger Sky Theater, the most technologically advanced theater in the world. Audiences travel a billion light-years and back flying through space, orbiting the Moon, zooming into a canyon on Mars and soaring through the cosmic web where a million galaxies shower down on them. Then it’s back to Earth, traveling faster than the speed of light in the most immersive space experience ever created. Shows run daily through May 3, 2013. The Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum is at 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive. 312-922-7827 or www.adlerplanetarium.org.
CHICAGO SUMMERFEST: Located in Lincoln Park at Clark St. at Armitage Ave., Chicago Summerfest offers live music — including performances by 16 Candles, Wedding Banned and Too White Crew, among others, great food and drinks, many local artisan booths and more. Admission is only $5 and this neighborhood festival benefits the Mid-North Association to preserve Lincoln Park’s architecturally-rich community. This year patrons can purchase a VIP pass for $25, which provides access to the “Star Lounge” at the festival which includes private, upgraded restrooms, three complimentary beers, free bottled water and a seating area. It’s limited to the first 100 purchasers. Visit www.starevents.com for additional festival information.
MERCURY SOUL: Electronica Meets Classical features musicians from the CSO for this MusicNow performance at 9 p.m. June 15 at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St. The CSO’s Composer-in-Residence Mason Bates, also known as DJ Masonic, joins forces with other CSO members and, using the innovations of both modern stagecraft and club production, Mercury Soul re-imagines the classical music experience for a broad audience in extraordinary spaces, from clubs to warehouses to concert halls. Tix are $20 and available at 312-294-3000 or cso.org. Tix can also be purchased through the Metro Box Office,3730 N. Clark St., or www.metrochicago.com.
CUSTER STREET FAIR: Join the Evanston Arts Depot this weekend, June 16 and 17, as artists and art lovers reunite at Evanston’s award-winning 41st annual Custer’s Last Stand Festival of the Arts. Enjoy the fair, meet and talk to artists from around the country, and dance to the music. There’s also the Medicine Show with comic works from Piccolo Theatre. an old-fashioned sidewalk sale and 30 food vendors. The fair is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. both days. 600 Main St., Evanston. 847-328-2204. www.custerfair.com.
JAMMIN’AT THE ZOO: Lincoln Park Zoo’s annual summer concert series begins June 22 with Neon Trees, continues July 27 with Eric Hutchinson with Better Than Ezra and ends Aug. 24 with Allstar Weekend with Hot Chelle Rae. The concerts are held on the zoo’s Main Mall. Refreshments available for purchase. Coolers and outside food and drinks are not permitted. Gates open to ticket holders at 6 p.m. Bring a blanket or chair. Tix are available now as individual concerts or a series pass at www.lpzoo.org, 312-742-2283 or at the zoo’s Gateway Pavilion. Advance tix are $23/adults, $12/kids 12 and under. Proceeds help keep the zoo free and open 365 days per year. Lincoln Park Zoo is at 2001 N. Clark St. and is easily accessible from Lake Shore Drive.
Quick Notes
SHAQUILLE O’NEAL’S ALL STAR COMEDY JAM: The Comedy Jam is on the road, and blows into the Auditorium Theater, 50 East Congress Parkway, at 8 p.m. June 15. Tix, tour updates and more info on ALL STAR COMEDY JAM at www.shaqallstarcomedyjam.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
TASTE OF RANDOLPH: The 15th annual streetfest features music, vendors and food. 5 to 11 p.m. June 15, noon to 11 p.m. June 16 and noon to 10 p.m. June 17 at the 900 to 1200 blocks on W. Randolph St., on Randolph Street from Peoria to Racine. Admission is $10. Visit www.starevents.com for additional festival information.
OVERNIGHTS AT THE MSI: Visit the Museum of Science and Industry after dark—and spend the night. “Snoozeums,” for families with kids ages 6 to 12 on June 22. 6 p.m. until 8:30 a.m. the following morning. A $45 per-person fee includes overnight admission, activities, a Snoozeum patch, snack and breakfast. Light dinner options available. Parking available in the Museums’ garage for $20. MythBusters or Omnimax can be added for an additional fee. Register 773-684-1414 ext. 8800. Go to www.msichicago.org for details. MSI, 57th Street and Lakeshore Drive. 773-684-1414. www.facebook.com/msichicago and twitter at msichicago.org/podcast.
THE JAMMER: Pine Box Theater Company presents The Jammer, a play that resurrects the Roller Derby — half sport, half show, all action. In short, it’s the King Lear of roller derby plays. Thursdays through Sundays through July 1 at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave. Tix available at www.pineboxtheater.org or the Athenaeum Box Office, 773-935-6875.
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METRA’S $7 WEEKEND PASS: Weekend passes are good for unlimited rides on both Saturday and Sunday for all stations. Weekend parking is available at all stations. Note: Boat taxis are available from Union Station to Navy Pier and/or the museum campus, Chinatown and other points along the river or lakefront. Reasonable pricing and fun.
