DECEMBER Friday 25
Candyman, a filmed-in-Chicago supernatural thriller, is on its last legs at second-run theaters, so it’s worth catching before it heads to video. The film’s eerie exposition follows a white Circle graduate student in folklore as she investigates an urban legend at Cabrini Green and tumbles into a bloody netherworld. The plot is twisted (in both senses of the word), the production values are only serviceable, and at times you wonder if indeed there is a unifying intelligence behind the film. But the movie’s macabre humor, its grinning red herrings, and its stolid unparsability on the subject of race makes it a fascinating study in misdirection and surprise. Plus it’s scary. It plays at the Village, 1548 N. Clark, at 7:20 and 9:20 tonight and weekdays and at 3:20, 5:20, 7:20, and 9:20 on weekends. It’s $2.50; call 642-2403 for more.
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Brookfield Zoo’s 11th annual Holiday Magic festival ends this weekend with two more days of late hours. Kids can talk to the animals as they walk along the zoo’s light-lined paths. Other fun includes a kids’ karaoke bar; musician Steve Pollitt, who plays international music on bamboo saxophone and flute and other instruments; entertainer Chris Fascione, who juggles and mimes; magicians; ice-sculpture demonstrations; and more. It’s all at the zoo, 3300 Golf Road in Brookfield, from 10 AM until 8 tonight and tomorrow. Admission is $3.50, $1.50 for seniors and children (parking costs an additional $4). Call 708-485-0263, extension 379, for more.
Monday 28
Kwanzaa, the African American holiday, was designed by conceiver Maulana Karenga as a celebration of thanks based on the African harvest. The celebration takes place over seven days from December 26 through January 1, with each day corresponding to the principles of faith, self-determination, creativity, purpose, economic cooperation, sharing work and responsibility, and duty. Today is also the Feast of Babaluaiye, the god who protects the seeds. Adekola Adedapo gives background on Kwanzaa and the feast at the Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington, from 3 to 6 PM, with music provided by the Creative Force. It’s free. Call 744-1424 for more.
The coolest New Year’s Eve party in town tonight will probably be at the New Regal Theater, where the O’Jays play shows at 6 and 11. The group began in Ohio and started recording in the early 60s. It wasn’t until the early 70s, however, with the help of producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, that the trio gained their greatest fame, recording oodles of impeccable soul singles, including the blithe “Love Train,” the charged “For the Love of Money,” and the immortal “Back Stabbers.” The group plays with Gerald Levert, son of O’Jay Eddie. Tickets are $39.50, $43.50 for the late show; the New Regal is at 1645 E. 79th. Call 721-9230 for more.
