Friday 12/11 – Thursday 12/17
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11 FRIDAY The shiny black helmetlike masks worn by African Mende women during female initiation rituals are loaded with meaning: the downcast eyes symbolize spirituality, the high forehead represents good fortune or intelligence, the small mouth indicates an aversion to gossip, the smooth skin denotes youth, and the elaborately braided hair stands for close ties between women. The women’s dances provide the foundation for Muntu Dance Theatre’s new offering from former National Dance Theatre of Liberia artistic director Nimley Napla, Echoes of Liberian Culture–Village of So-So Women. The piece will be performed with Mickey Davison’s Juba Jig at a production called Ancient Echoes Calling. Tonight’s concert performance will be followed by a benefit gala that includes dinner, dancing, and the presentation of an award to Geraldine de Haas of Jazz Unites. The festivities start at 7:30 at Kennedy-King College, 6800 S. Wentworth. All seats for tonight’s performance are $50; other shows this weekend are $15 to $17. Call 773-602-1135 for tickets and information, or see the dance listings in Section Two.
12 SATURDAY Reducing clutter, creating low-cost entertainment options, planning for early retirement, and working less and playing more were some of the hot topics at last month’s meeting of Voluntary Simplicity-Chicago. “It’s about your expenses,” said one member. “If you make $100,000 and spend it, you’re still poor.” In other words, they’re in favor of forgoing things like designer coffee, restaurants, and luxury items if it means a more relaxed lifestyle. Today the group will continue its quest to make do with less at its free December meeting, which starts at 9 AM at 711 W. Monroe. Call 708-339-4132 for more.
17 THURSDAY The 1952 Roadmaster Luxury Liner was the Fleetwood Brougham of bicycles. The comfortable state-of-the-art cruiser boasted chrome-plated wheels, a bullet-shaped headlight, and a taillight that did double duty as a brake light. The fancy extras were the idea of designer Brook Stevens, who was one of the first people to talk about planned obsolescence–in his words, “better, more desirable products each season so customers can’t resist upgrading.” Innumerable landfills later, Brunswick Bicycles has resurrected the smooth-riding cycle. This time around it goes for $3,000. But the lucky person who wins the raffle at tonight’s Chicagoland Bicycle Federation’s holiday party will have paid something a lot closer to the original asking price. The festivities are from 4:30 to 8:30 at Grace Place, 637 S. Dearborn. Admission is free; raffle tickets are $5. Call 312-427-3325 for more.
