Friday 4/7 – Thursday 4/13
When Peoria native Alan Gillett brought his country-soul-karaoke-dance act to the cable-access Chic-a-Go-Go a few months ago, the show’s dancers didn’t know what to make of his awkward, unself-conscious performance. “They were confused by him,” says coproducer Jake Austen. “You sort of want to laugh at him at the beginning. But he’s so earnest and happy, he wins you over.” Gillett, whose appearances on Nashville cable access have become staples on Comedy Central’s Daily Show, will make his Chicago club debut at tonight’s Chic-a-Go-Go Variety Show. Miss Mia and the puppet Ratso from the TV show will emcee; other performers include Cats & Jammers, the Goblins, Cynthia Plaster Caster, M.O.T.O., and Kim. Tom Dunning will screen his video about stalking the British teen band Boyzone, and Rusty Nails and Charles Irvin will show films and videos. It starts at 9 at the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia (773-227-4433). It’s $6; you must be 21 or over.
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10 MONDAY Slow and steady may not always win the race, but 95 percent of the people who sign up for Jeff Galloway’s methodical marathon training program make it to the finish line. The former Olympian discusses his training program in a free running clinic today from 6 to 6:45 at the Sears Tower Conference Center in suite 3350 at 233 S. Wacker. It’s followed at 7 by a two-hour seminar that’ll set you back $49. Call 773-509-4922 for more.
In the 1880s Native American artist Silver Horn started painting on animal hides, depicting Kiowa history, daily life, and religious ceremonies. Later he drew scenes of war and the shift to reservation life. These were on paper and notebooks obtained from white settlers. A rarely seen collection of his work, including four sketchbooks full of his reflections on tribal myth and the peyote religion (on loan from the Field Museum), make up the new exhibit Transforming Images: The Art of Silver Horn and His Successors. Plains Indians art expert Janet Berlo will give a talk about Silver Horn tonight at 5 in room 115 of the Donnelley Biological Sciences Learning Center, 924 E. 57th. It’ll be followed by an opening reception from 6 to 8 at the David and Alfred Smart Museum of Art, 5550 S. Greenwood. Both events are free. Call 773-702-0200.
