Friday 7
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Funf is German for five; it’s also the name of a new classical music enemble that’s making its Chicago debut tonight at Puszh Studios. Funf’s members are Becky Elliott, Perry Guarigila, Andrew Stees, Freda Wyant, and Terv Yoshioka. On the agenda are 18th- and 20th-century works for mandolin and strings by Hoffman, Hasse, Giuliani, Bach, and Vivaldi. Puszh (short for David Puszczewicz, who runs the joint) Studios is at 3829 N. Broadway. Tickets are $5, and things get under way at 9. Call 327-0510.
Back when skinheads weren’t fascists, ska ruled; and racial divisions, for a while, seemed less sharp. So shave your head, grab your two-tone buttons and porkpie hat and squiggle on down to Edge of the Lookingglass for an evening with perhaps the last remaining U.S. ska band, the New York Citizens. It’s $9 and starts at 9 PM. It’s at 62 E. 13th St.; call 939-4017.
Julia Child, godmother to several generations of amateur and professional chefs, is the featured attraction at the Best of the Midwest Market. The market–which is a one-day exhibit of the best the 12-state region has to offer in foodstuffs of all sorts–has bifurcated the business of admissions: a $15 ticket at the door (advance price: $10) gets you into some special tastings and sales and conversations with some growers (and maybe Julia), all from 9:30 to 1. Admission is free after 1, when the goods go on sale. It’s at Navy Pier, Grand Avenue and the lake. Call the American Institute of Wine and Food at 467-1705 for more information, or 902-1919 to order tickets.
“I belong to no organized political party,” Will Rogers once said. “I am a Democrat.” That his barbs of 65 years ago still have sting today is the argument behind A Tribute to Will Rogers: The Man, the Times, and the Music, a one-man show by Chicago actor Lance Brown. Brown uses everything from popular songs of the 1920s to newspaper articles, radio monologues, and rope tricks to bring out the spirit of America’s favorite folksy humorist. It’s free at the Northbrook Public Library, 1201 Cedar Lane in Northbrook, at 7:30 tonight. Call 708-272-6224.
Chicago’s own Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians was founded 25 years ago to offer black musicians an alternative to the creative restraints imposed on them by white record companies. It offered classes and sponsored concerts (and still does both); over the years, it’s produced an extraordinary number of talents, from Henry Threadgill to Kahil El-Zabar, from Lester Bowie to Anthony Braxton. A two-month-long anniversary celebration starts at Club Lower Links on Thursdays this month. Tonight’s opening bill features Eight Bold Souls, A.A.C.M.’s internationally renowned octet featuring Ed Wilkerson and Mwata Bowden on reeds, Rod Magaha on trumpet, Ike Jackson on trombone, Naomi Millinder on cello, Aaron Dodd on tuba, Harrison Bankhead on bass, and Dushone Mosley on drums. It starts at 10; cover is $8. Lower Links is at 954 W. Newport. Call 248-5238 or 752-2212.
