Crowd Pleasers for Jan. 27, 2012

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The Golden Dragon Acrobats will perform Jan. 29 at the Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University.

Updated: February 28, 2012 8:07AM

Here is a look at a special event in University Park.

Dazzling and gravity-defying, the Golden Dragon Acrobats will bring high-energy excitement to the Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University in University Park at 3 p.m. Jan. 29.

Attendees can celebrate the Chinese New Year with the Golden Dragon Acrobats, which is recognized throughout the United States and abroad as the premier Chinese acrobatic touring company.

During the show at GSU, 27 performers from China’s Hebei province will bend like rubber, spin umbrellas with their feet, scale poles like cats, lean at 45-degree angles, and build human pyramids on moving bicycles.

With nerves of steel, the members of the Golden Dragon Acrobats are athletes, actors and artists who have trained since childhood, and who now amaze audiences all around the world.

“The impossible can be achieved and once achieved, surpassed, then surpassed again,” the Associated Press reported after witnessing the Golden Dragons.

Golden Dragon Acrobats represent the best of a time-honored tradition that began more than 25 centuries ago.

World-renowned impresario Danny Chang and choreographer Angela Chang combine award-winning acrobatics, traditional dance, spectacular costumes, ancient and contemporary music, and theatrical techniques to present a show of breathtaking skill and spellbinding beauty.

The 2011-12 tour marks the 34th year of continuous touring in the United States for the Golden Dragon Acrobats.

With the company’s main office based in Dallas, the Golden Dragon Acrobats have traveled around the world to all 50 states and to more than 65 countries on five continents.

Members of the current touring company have performed before sold-out audiences in nearly every major market in the country.

The Golden Dragon troupe had its Broadway debut at the New Victory Theater in 2005 and was nominated for two Drama Desk Awards for its performance.

The Golden Dragon Acrobats are committed to the highest production values and an unparalleled attention to artistic details.

By exhibiting remarkable strength and agility, the members of the Golden Dragon Acrobats keep age-old culture and traditions alive and give audience members an experience they’ll never forget.

Single tickets to the Golden Dragon Acrobats performance are $15-$44 for adults and $15-$41 for ages 16 and younger. Subscription and single-ticket information: (708) 235-2222 or centertickets.net.

The venue is off University Parkway east of Governors Highway.

Patrons who purchase single, regular-price tickets for three or more shows (main stage, cabaret, opera and/or Especially for Kids series) for the Center for Performing Arts at GSU’s 2011-12 season will receive a $10 gift certificate to be used for future ticket purchases. There is a limit of one voucher per household, and additional restrictions may apply.

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.”

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.

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 Andy Woodhull and Josh Alton with the band the Weeds on Jan. 27. 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: Clay Miles will perform two shows each on Jan. 27-28.

“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” runs 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. 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 Way”: Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., Chicago, (773) 445-3838: This film will be shown at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1. Rated PG-13, the movie runs for 2 hours and 3 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.

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.