Summer may be winding down, what with season-ending festivals and the last free days before school already getting a countdown, but the city’s busy with its usual melange of music and activity.
Just check out what’s coming up:
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– There will be some serious bilingual slamming at the House of Blues Friday night, when L.A.-based punkers Voodoo Glow Skulls — don’t let the name put you off: after the attitude’s over, they’ve got some mean ska and rock’n’roll to offer — make their local debut. with an early evening show at 7 p.m. Tickets are an affordable $13. HOB’s at 329 N. Dearborn.
Also of note at HOB next week, Citrus — a local group we’ve enjoyed for a while — opens up for Fool’s Progress on Aug. 29. Showtime is 9 p.m., tickets are $12.
– A series of workshops about issues important to teens served as the basis for “Voces Ansiosas/Anxious Voices IV,” the new teen-driven, teen-written and teen-performed show sponsored by Association House in West Town. Directed by Ralph Flores, an actor with numerous area credits to his name, the program uses drama, music and comedy to explore life for young people in the city today. Showtime is 8 p.m. Friday, outside, at the Association House Community Park, 2150 W. North Ave. It’s $10 for chair seating, $5 if you bring your own blanket to sit on the lawn. Call 773-276-9984, ext. 275.
– On Saturday, Sweet Honey in the Rock returns to Chicago to celebrate the release of its new CD, “Sacred Ground.” Founded by MacArthur “genius” grant recipient Bernie Johnson Reagon in 1973, Sweet Honey is a five-member a capella group composed of African-American women. Johnson and Carol Maillard have been with the group since its inception, learning and making art with the 22 others who have passed through its ranks.
Throughout the years, Sweet Honey has evolved from a primarily feminist and civil-rights oriented ensemble to a showcase for African-derived vocal music. Their current repertoire includes traditional American black church gospel, as well as rap, jazz, blues and improvisational vocal styles.
Another signature element of the group is its full integration of American Sign Language into its performances. Shirley Childress Johnson, the ensemble’s current interpreter, is a full member, using a distinct ASL approach that is often as fascinating to watch for the hearing as the deaf.
Show time is 7:30 p.m. at Navy Pier’s Skyline Stage (Grand and the lake). Tickets are $25, $23 for members of the Old Town School of Music, the show’s producers. Call 773-525-7793, xt. 21 for details. The Skyline Stage is wheelchair accessible.
– At the same time that Sweet Honey’s wailing, the Green Mill will be hosting a farewell performance for one of its prime-time players, Brad Goode. From 8 p.m. to midnight, his self-named ensemble will entertain the faithful in celebration of Goode’s new gig: professor of music at the University of Cincinnati-College of Conservatory Music. Goode will have benefits after all these years, the Green Mill will rack up another marvelous memory. The Green Mill’s at 4802 N. Broadway. Call 773-878-5552. It’s wheelchair accessible.
– Also Saturday, Tatsu Aoki’s The Power Trio — featuring A Fifi Phillard on percussion and Mwata Bowden on brass — takes on the new Cleopatra’s Show Lounge at the new Bop Shop, 1146 S. Wabash. The lounge has a long-term lease, so count on them staying put for a while and continuing to showcase a broad schedule of acts.
– On Tuesday, the Guild Complex continues its explorations of poetic collaborations with “Verbs and Vibes,” with the Rob Mazurek Quintet joining poets Quraysh Al Lansana, Marion Hayes, Tina Wright and Reggie Gibson (from the movie “love jones”). Show time is 5 p.m. at the Chopin Theater, 1543 W. Division. For more, call 773-278-2210.
– Wednesday, a show by fine arts painter Joseph Holston features “The Art of Jazz,” scenes from the club life. A reception for the artist will be held from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Billy Hork Galleries, 109 E. Oak St. Music will be provided by the Steve Eisen Quartet.
– Thursday has Samba Bamba, our town’s original cha-cha club band, moving to the Rhumba Room at Rhumba, 3631 N. Halsted. They’ll be there indefinitely on Thursdays, starting around 8 p.m. Call 7734-975-2345.