Events Search
Aventura
Fri., Nov. 20, 9 p.m.
847-635-6601 or 312-559-1212Rock, Pop, Etc, International
Latin pop inhabits a kind of parallel universe in the U.S., under the radar of the English-language media, but whether you've heard of them or not, Aventura are filling arenas around the country. The bilingual Bronx quartet formed in the mid-90s, and within a few years they'd become international stars. They play bachata—the slinky, guitar-driven romantic music of the Dominican Republic—kissed with contemporary R & B, and their latest full-length, The Last (Premium Latin Music), spent 15 weeks atop Billboard's Latin album charts this summer, selling more than 200,000 copies and going double platinum. Still, most Americans have no idea they exist. On The Last Aventura further urbanize the sound of bachata, retaining the fluid acoustic-guitar patterns and hand percussion from the music's rural past but adding glossy radio-ready production, breathy teen-idol singing from 28-year-old front man Anthony "Romeo" Santos (complete with the occasional lick of Auto-Tune), and impossibly sweet vocal harmonies from his bandmates. (In traditional bachata there's usually only one singer at a time.) Aventura's urban-pop trappings have earned them the epithet "Dominicano 'N Sync," and a few of the tunes on The Last are blatant crossover stabs—"All Up 2 You" has jacked-up beats and a cameo from Akon—but most of the group's output rests on a recognizable foundation of bachata. It's not for listeners who like their traditional sounds uncut—this is unquestionably mainstream stuff—but it's absurdly catchy, confident, and accomplished. —Peter Margasak
$50-$125
Devlin & Darko, DJ/Rupture & Matt Shadetek, DJ Trew
Fri., Nov. 20, 10 p.m. 773-276-3600 or 866-468-3401Dance
Reading the blog Dutty Artz is like watching a bunch of evil geniuses draw up their latest master plan—except instead of evil geniuses they're just people who know a ton about music, and what they're doing amounts to devising a handy diagram that makes clear the connections between disparate sounds like southern rap, cumbia, upstart African dance styles too new to have names, and prewar gospel blues played on a homemade fretless zither. It's one of the only blogs where I feel confident downloading any track they put up, whether I can listen to it first or not. DJ/Rupture and Matt Shadetek both write regularly for Dutty Artz, and like its other contributors they're exceptionally talented and daring DJs. They also have a history of working together, and their latest collaboration is a mix CD called Solar Life Raft (The Agriculture) that mashes together a mess of styles that fall along the axis joining reggae, dancehall, and dubstep, creating something deep, dark, and extremely addictive. Brooklyn art-rockers Gang Gang Dance and Telepathe and worth-watching MC Jahdan Blakkamoore, who's tight with the Dutty Artz crew, all make appearances, but if you don't study the track listing you might not notice—and anyway, Rupture and Shadetek's blends are so subtle and natural sounding that picking out the different parts of their mix is much less satisfying than enjoying it as one big, dubby, bassy whole. —Miles Raymer
$10, free with RSVP to rsvp@emptybottle.com.
Algren Farewell Show
Fri., Nov. 20, 10 p.m. 773-549-5549Rock, Pop, Etc
After much consideration and deliberation, Chicago rock band Algren decided to call it quits. The split is completely amicable and the band members remain close friends but the time has come for them to go separate ways. They appreciate the support, friendship, and love fans have given them over the years and would like to celebrate with them one final time. Algren will play a farewell show on Friday, November 20 at Elbo Room, the band's favorite and most frequented venue. They will perform with their good friends and fellow Chicago Noise Machine members 72 Hours.
All Tomorrow's Parties screening
Fri., Nov. 20, 11:30 p.m. 773-281-4114Miscellaneous
The documentary All Tomorrow’s Parties, a celebration of the British indie music festival, features a bricolage of Super-8, camcorder, and mobile phone performance footage shot by more than 200 filmmakers, fans, and musicians. Performers include Belle and Sebastian, Sonic Youth, Animal Collective, Iggy & the Stooges, Patti Smith, Mogwai, Battles, Grizzly Bear, the Boredoms, Slint, Shellac, Lightning Bolt, and Roscoe Mitchell, among many others.
A night of flamenco, jazz, and bellydance with Marcos Nambos and Shajara
Fri., Nov. 20, 7 p.m.International
Marcos brings a diverse array of flamenco, jazz, and Latin-fusion songs with the accompaniment of Shajara's Andalusian-inspired bellydance. Alhambra Cafe & Coffee House serves gourmet coffees and dessert coffees, hot chocolates, hot apple cider, chai latte, artisan teas, sumptuous desserts, or cool beverages, refreshing smoothie and ice cream shake treats. Music is complimentary. BYO dessert wine, only. Free parking available. Check web site for more info.
Artistic Integrity's 1st Annual "Giving Tree" Clothing Drive
Fri., Nov. 20, 1 p.m.Other Stuff
Join Artistic Integrity as we host a clothing drive to benefit St. Vincent de Paul Center. Cookies and eggnog will be available at the time of your generous donation. The clothing drive will be held in the Barbershop on the Concourse Level of the hotel, from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Artist Reception at Elephant Room, Inc.
Fri., Nov. 20, 6 p.m.Galleries: Openings & Receptions
View artwork by Chicago artist Sam Kirk during her reception from 6-11 p.m. on Nov. 20 at BRAND NEW gallery Elephant Room, Inc., 704 S. Wabash Ave. in the South Loop. New artist featured every 6 to 8 weeks. Viewing by appt. during the week or from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information or to schedule a viewing appointment, contact curator Kim Leja Atwood at 708-369-4742 or kim@elephantroomgallery.com.
Danny Barnes Acoustic Trio, Hot Club of Cowtown
Fri., Nov. 20, 7 & 10 p.m. 773-728-6000Folk & Country
Beats by Otter Night Flights at Bar Deville
Fri., Nov. 20, 10 p.m.Dance
Spinning Records at Bar Deville. Non Bling Hip Hop, Old Soul, Rock, 80's Jams, and other Goodness that sounds nice.
Back room chillness, that might erupt into something special. Bi Weekly Event. This is the launch of the night, so please come enjoy yourself. Good room, good people, good drinks. ALL VINYL YO!
Stephanie Rose Bird
Fri., Nov. 20, 6-10 p.m. 708-848-2863Literary Events
Bird (Four Seasons of Mojo: An Herbal Guide to Natural Living) promotes A Healing Grove: African Tree Remedies and Rituals for the Body and Spirit.
Blue Ribbon Glee Club, Simco Band, Back Pockets
Fri., Nov. 20, 9 p.m. 773-227-4433 or 866-468-3401Rock, Pop, Etc
Cervantes Chicago Orchestra concert
Fri., Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m. 312-655-1234Classical
$10 Suggested donation
The Cervantes Orchestra will perform a diverse repertoire with a strong focus on rarely performed pieces by Spanish and Latin American composers. The orchestra will provide a forum for original works by young composers from diverse ethnicities, creating innovative concerts that will attract and entertain multicultural audiences. It will also help support minority musicians and composers by giving them the opportunity to showcase their talent.
The orchestra’s overall goal will be to express through music the spirit of Spanish and Latin American culture.
Conductor: Emanuele Andrizzi
