Crowd Pleasers for Jan. 20, 2012

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A Cappucino Stout cappucino float will be part of the menu on Jan. 25 for the Lagunitas Brew Circus at Tommy Nevin's Pub in Frankfort.

Updated: May 9, 2012 10:11AM

Here is a look at a special event featuring lots of food and drink in Frankfort.

Tommy Nevin’s Pub, 9680 Lincolnway Lane, Frankfort, will give people a chance to go outside the average beer dinner experience when it hosts the Lagunitas Brew Circus from 6:30-9 p.m. Jan. 25.

The event will feature eight different brews from Lagunitas alongside executive chef Marcus Mooney’s food pairings to complement the samples.

“The theme of the event is a brew carnival, so all of the food will be related somewhat to Southern fair food,” Mooney said. “We are hoping to create something more of an experience than just a dinner with great food and beer.”

Differing from the bar’s past events, guests will be allowed a chance to interact with representatives from Lagunitas and a certified cicerone from Windy City Distribution.

Live entertainment and raffles for Lagunitas Brewing Co. and Tommy Nevin’s merchandise are also a few more perks offered.

“This beer event is one in which we are trying to get more guest interaction,” Mooney said. “Our other events have gone well, but we are excited to pair up with Lagunitas and mix things up a little.”

The event’s cost of $45 plus tax and gratuities covers beer, food and entertainment as well as a complimentary Lagunitas-branded mason jar.

RSVPs are required and can be made at the Frankfort location or call (815) 464-1000.

Participants must be 21 years or older with valid identification to take part in this event.

For those who want to get the party started early, here is the recipe for the Lagunitas cappuccino stout float:

8 ounces of Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout

1 big scoop of cappuccino ice cream

Whip cream

Start with ice cream, then slowly pour stout in. Add whip cream and enjoy.

MORE CROWD PLEASERS

ART

THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO: 111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, (312) 443-3600: “Light Years: Conceptual Art and the Photograph, 1964-1977” recently opened and continues through March 11. *** Admission is free to Illinois residents on the first and second Wednesdays of the month.

BEVERLY ARTS CENTER GALLERY: 2407 W. 111th St., Chicago, (773) 445-3838, Ext. 210: “B.A.D.,” a group multimedia exhibit curated by Molar Productions and Larry Lee, will be open through Feb. 12 in the East and Bridge galleries. The artist reception will take place from 6-9 p.m. Jan. 28. Admission is free.

Described as “Beautiful and Dangerous. Big and Dumb. Bodacious and Dirty. Boring and Derivative. Bambi and Dumbo,” the exhibit features works by Benjamin Bellas, Stephanie Brooks, Judith Brotman, Gerard Brown, You-Ni Chae, C.C. Ann Chen, Young J. Cho, Meg Duguid, Jason Dunda, Kirk Faber, Andreas Fischer, Max Byron Garrett, Jeffrey Grauel, Jason Guo, Alex Herrera, Greyson Hong, Paul Hopkin, Carol Jackson, James Kao, Nancy Kim, Karin Kuroda, Erin LaRocque, Diego Leclery, David Leggett, Dave Murray, Chris Naka, Hao Ni, Heidi Norton, Susannah Papish, Nipporn Production (Mayumi Lake and Yoshie Suzuki), Isaac Leung, Patrick Quilao, Academy Records, Allison Ruttan, Benjamin Stone, Joshua Slater, Jenyu Wang, and Yaloopopat.

According to Lee, Molar Productions is “a domestic exercise of the democratic process as curatorial practice, some say, buffoonery ... since 2005.”

Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and 1-6 p.m. Sundays. Admission is free.

ILLINOIS STATE MUSEUM LOCKPORT GALLERY: 201 W. 10th St., Lockport, (815) 838-7400: On display through April 6, “Luminous Ground: Artists with Histories” was co-curated by Lloyd Klauba, associate curator of fine art, and Doug Stapleton, assistant curator of fine art, both of whom are based at the ISM Chicago Gallery. Klauba has been a curator with the ISM since 1989 and has curated several important exhibitions. She is a former teacher and writes novels in her spare time. Klauba’s belief in the importance of a good education aligns well with one of the strategies of this exhibition in that all of the selected artists were highly influential teachers of generations of artists.

The artists of “Luminous Ground” share three important similarities: the creation of lifelong bodies of work of the highest caliber; the influencing of multiple artists across generations, not only by their art but through teaching and community involvement; and commitments of 50-60 years or more to the exploration of personal creativity. Their art arises from luminous ground, a reservoir of creativity that has sustained and nurtured their art through the decades. All remain, or remained, vital and working artists throughout their lives and have earned the freedom to do as they please — as their art dictates — without undue concern for critics.

The artists include Ralph Arnold (1924-2006), constructions; Morris Barazani (1924), abstract paintings; Gerda Meyer Bernstein (1931), socially relevant installations; Fred Berger (1923-2006), figurative painting and sculpture; William Frederick (1922), silversmith; Theodore Halkin (1924), painting and sculpture; Thomas Kapsalis (1925), abstract painting and sculpture; Vera Klement (1929), painting; Ellen Lanyon (1926), printmaking and painting; Elizabeth Rupprecht (1932), painting; and Leopold Segedin (1927), figurative painting.

Additional programs are planned including an opportunity to hear about other artists with significant histories who are “Of a Certain Age” (2 p.m. Feb. 5) and to participate in a community collage and “Make Our Garden Grow” (1:30-3 p.m. March 20). All programs are free and open to the public.

MORAINE VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S ROBERT F. DECAPRIO ART GALLERY: 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills, (708) 608-4231: “Jamie Callahan: 365 Day Self Portrait” will be displayed through Feb. 9. In July the namesake photographer began working on an intimate photographic expose of himself in what was to become a 365-day visual blogging.

The artist explained, “This project is the first time I’ve ever turned the camera on myself. Normally I avoid photographing myself at all costs, so I decided to do something that would force me significantly out of my comfort zone. In many ways it proved to be an arduous and frustrating journey. I am now very well-acquainted with all my blemishes and asymmetries.”

PRAIRIE STATE COLLEGE’S CHRISTOPHER ART GALLERY: 202 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights, (708) 709-3636: The Prairie State College Foundation presents “Decompression,” through Jan. 26.

Featured artists include Indiana artists Dawn Diamantopoulos and Lee Heinsen-Ligocki, and New York City artist Megan Green. The artists were challenged by the questions: How do you decompress at the end of the day? How do you resolve where your life has led you compared to where you thought you’d be? How do you put the day away for the night?

Diamantopoulos said her series, “History Repeats,” began when she wanted to rework an art book’s writings into layered drawings. “The phrases were taken or adapted from that book. There wasn’t a good theme line in each group, yet the lines I pulled actually relate to more areas of my life than the original writing,” the stay-at-home mom and artist said.

According to Heinsen-Ligocki, a professional truck driver, her collection of drawings, “Trippin Hands,” is intentionally small for portability. “The drawings reflect thoughts and experiences from hours of solitude,” she said. “Each image suggests an idea, but there is an underlying message the viewer can inwardly interpret.”

Green’s current series of photographs, “Out of Town,” chronicles her travels for work, she said. “What began as a lark has almost become a necessity now when I travel. To me, it’s nothing deeper than inserting myself in a space that is temporary to me — temporarily supposed to be a place of comfort, to sleep, to work, to come back to after shooting all day.”

The Christopher Art Gallery is open from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Mondays-Thursdays and 5-7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays. Visits also can be made by appointment.

SALON ARTISTS GALLERY: 294 Main St., Park Forest, (708) 833-5108 or (708) 703-7806: The “Winter Wonderland” exhibit will be displayed through Jan. 31 at the cooperative gallery, which features painting, jewelry, woodwork, photography. handblown glass and multimedia works by numerous artists.

SOUTH SUBURBAN COLLEGE’S DOROTHEA THEIL GALLERY: 15800 S. State St., South Holland, (708) 596-2000, Ext. 2445: The Art & Design Department of SSC is showcasing a new solo exhibition of paintings by artist Ka-EL Mycal Zakiah. The show culminates with an artist reception at 1 p.m. Jan. 24.

“Through painting I find it most interesting to produce the visual relationship of line, color and space,” the artist said. “These relationships create new relationships of shape, form and texture. I have moved from the totally nonobjective to the figurative.”

Mycal Zakiah has both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in fine arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He is attending Governors State University and pursing a second master’s degree in art history. He is also teaching art appreciation at Olive-Harvey College. He has worked with youth artists through the Hyde Park Art Center’s Partner in Arts and Visual Learners programs with the Chicago Park District.

The public is welcome to visit art exhibitions and receptions at no charge. The galleries are supported in part by the SSC Foundation. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays. The galleries are closed on weekends and holidays.

UNION STREET GALLERY: 1527 Otto Blvd., Chicago Heights, (708) 754-2601: “I Shall Be Released” will be displayed to Feb. 11. Exhibit artists include Scott Anderson, Aaron Coleman, Cesar Conde, Sherri Denualt, Barbara Edwards, Tanya Gadbaw, Diana Gondek, Hai Ri Han and Sarah Knill.

Other artists involved in the show are Nancy Mueller, Diane Ramos, Barry Reithmeier, Stephan Roll, Marina Ross, Liz Kolben, Marina Kuchinski, Jonathan McFadden, Bridget Mitchell, Jennifer Moore, Luis Sahagun, William Sclater, Eva D. Smith, Mimi Solum, Amelin Spinney, Aaron Tinder, Jennifer Webster, Michael Weigman, Margi Weir and Peter Wilhelm.

COMEDY

CD&ME: 23320 S. LaGrange Road, Frankfort, (815) 469-7315: The weekly Laugh the Night Away! series, which runs through April will feature comedians Mike Toomey and Mike Ostrowski with the band Hare on Jan. 21. A gifted performer, Toomey’s hilarious characters have made him a regular on Channel 9’s “WGN Morning News.” His national TV appearances have included HBO, MTV and A&E’s “Comedy on the Road. The cover is $13 for each show. Doors will open at 7 p.m., with comedy starting at 8 p.m. and music performances starting at 9:30 p.m.

“LAUGH OUT LOUD TOUR”: The Second City, 1616 N. Wells St., Chicago, (312) 337-3992: The Second City Touring Company brings its hilarious show home to Chicago for a night of classic and original sketch comedy and trademark improvisations. The show runs Saturdays and Mondays.

RIDDLES COMEDY CLUB: 5055 W. 111th St., Alsip, (708) 422-5055: Jonathan Martin will perform two shows each on Jan. 20-21.

“SKY’S THE LIMIT (WEATHER PERMITTING)”: The Second City e.t.c., 1616 N. Wells St., Chicago, (312) 337-3992: While people are bombarded with tornadoes, both political and weather-related, the day-to-day news stays the same — saving marriages, raising kids and whether the American dream is something that can be afforded. This show runs Thursdays-Sundays.

“SOUTH SIDE OF HEAVEN”: The Second City, 1616 N. Wells St., Chicago, (312) 337-3992: This thought-provoking, irreverent and hilarious show explores the many fates that propel the world and universe, from the cultural divide between Chicago Cubs and White Sox fans to the delicate distinction between dancing and stripping. The show runs Tuesdays-Sundays.

MUSEUMS

ADLER PLANETARIUM: 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, (312) 922-7827: “Deep Space Adventure” is an immersive space experience that takes attendees aboard the observation deck of a futuristic starship.

CHICAGO CHILDREN’S MUSEUM: Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, (312) 527-1000: “Michael’s Museum: A Curious Collection of Tiny Treasures” fosters the art of collecting and features nearly 100 collections of tiny objects including miniatures, trinkets, artifacts and curiosities donated by founder and curator Michael Horvich.

THE FIELD MUSEUM: 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, (312) 922-9410: “Natural Wonders: A Roman Mosaic from Lod, Israel” is on display to April 22. More than 300 square feet large and nearly 2,000 years old, this ancient Roman floor mosaic is one of the world’s largest and best-preserved. Discovered in 1996 in Lod, Israel, the “Lod Mosaic” is unique with its depiction of exotic animals and a profusion of fish and fleets of Mediterranean ships. Visitors can study the mosaic’s glorious details and uncover the stories hidden in its imagery before it returns to Israel.

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY: 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, (773) 684-1414: “Powerful: African Americans in Energy” will open on Jan. 25 and run to April 15. Visitors can learn about different sources of energy — how they work and the impact each has — as they play a highly interactive game of miniature golf. Attends can play their way through the energy landscape of choices like oil, natural gas, wind, solar, hydroelectric and nuclear power. Just as golfers keep score, participants will keep a running tally of what they have learned at each hole. The final hole is the participants chance to “putt the vote” and have their say on the best choice for the future of energy.

SHEDD AQUARIUM: 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, (312) 939-2438: Illinois Resident Discount Days, which feature free general admission, will take place Jan. 25-28 and Jan. 30-31. This includes admission into “Waters of the World,” “Amazon Rising,” and the “Caribbean Reef.” Packages including “Wild Reef,” “Polar Play Zone” and Abbott Oceanarium are available to Illinois residents at a discounted rate on these days.

THEATER

“MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET”: Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, (773) 935-6100: Extended through at least May 31, the show is inspired by the auspicious twist of fate that brought together Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley at the Sun Records’ storefront studio in Memphis, Tenn. The show runs Wednesdays-Sundays.

“PINKALICIOUS — THE MUSICAL”: Broadway Playhouse, 175 E. Chestnut Ave., Chicago, (800) 775-2000: Recently extended to May 27, this production of the hit musical is based on the popular book by Elizabeth and Victoria Kann. The Emerald City Theatre show is best for ages 3 and older.

VARIETY

BACINEMA SCREENING OF “THE LAST RITES OF JOE MAY”: Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., Chicago, (773) 445-3838: This film will be shown at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18. Not rated R, the movie runs for 1 hour 42 minutes. Cost is $7.50, or $5.50 for center members.

BACINEMA REEL TALK: Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., Chicago, (773) 445-3838: Film lecturer Suzanne Patterson leads a free after-screening opportunity to discuss and dissect a movie in a friendly atmosphere on the third Wednesday of the month through May.

THE TRASH AND RECYCLE SHOW WITH STEVE TRASH — ROCKIN’ ECO HERO: Moraine Valley Community College’s Fine and Performing Arts Center’s Dorothy Menker Theater, 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills, (708) 974-5500: This show will take place Jan. 21. Considered to be one of the world’s greatest green entertainers, the namesake has amazed more than 20 million people across the globe with live ecological illusions, green magic tricks and family-friendly funny stuff. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students and seniors.

Crowd Pleasers listings may be sent to jvirtusio@southtownstar.com with “Events” in the subject line. Items must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the desired Friday publication date in order to be considered for publication.

More events can be found at the websites for Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau, cscvb.com, and Chicago Southland Arts Alliance, chicagosouthlandarts.com/events.cfm.