following last year’s stints in new york and washington d.c., experimental music and media festival sónar returns to the u.s. with an event in chicago on sep 9-11. the festival features more than 30 events, including concerts, lectures and screenings at various venues in town. participating artists include oval, faraón and jimmy edgar. click weblink for program and more info.

opening today at the museum of contemporary art is alexander calder and contemporary art - form, balance, joy, an elaborate exhibition that zooms in on the huge influence of the artist on the new generation of contemporary sculptors [on until oct 17]. alexander calder was a beloved modernist master, but only recently have young contemporary artists turned to his hands-on explorations of form, balance, color, and movement.

on display are no less than 60 of the sculptmaster’s iconic works, and 20 more by seven contemporary artists who have been directly influenced by him, including aaron curry, kristi lippire and abraham cruzvillegas. location: 220 east chicago avenue [near north side].



© fredrik nielsen / aaron curry - bones [standing] - [2009]

party: morrissey + the smiths live tribute party
date: thu – jun 10 [10pm-2am]
live gig + dj lineup: the handsome devilz, heaven malone, akira
hosts: jillian valentino, lindsay apatow
location: debonair, 1575 north milwaukee avenue [wicker park].

the parallel plot exhibition of berlin-based artist matt saunders just opened at chicago’s renaissance society [on until apr 11]. on display is a series of interrelated new works. the artist recasts images taken from film and television into new narratives about portraiture in drawings, paintings, short films, and photographs. additionally, a new multichannel animated film will be screened. location: 5811 south ellis avenue [hyde park].



© matt saunders - interview [hertha thiele 1975] #1 [2010]

party: belle & sebastian night
date: tue – jan 19 [9pm-2am]
dj set + acoustic live gigs include: heaven malone, mikey lovechilde, carrie + dan
location: darkroom, 2210 west chicago avenue [wicker park].

zaha hadid never ceases to amaze us. her hyperdynamic organic architecture goes from strength to strength, blessing each location with astonishing visual drama. the burnham pavilion, part of the burnham plan centennial celebrations in chicago, is the newest example. the pavilion is composed of a curved aluminium structure with each element shaped and welded in order to create its fluid form.

fabric skins have been tightly zipped around the metal frame to create the curvilinear shape. the interior skin also serves as the screen for a video installation by british artist thomas gray that explores the city’s past and future. the pavilion is open through oct 31 and is one of two pavilions erected for the centennial. the other structure was built by amsterdam-based unstudio. location: millennium park.



© zaha hadid architects / photo: michelle litvin

party: disappear here
date: thu - aug 6 [9pm-2am]
location: angels & kings, 710 north clark street [near north side].
dj lineup includes: danny masterson, mikul, heaven malone, la dolce vita, kha

event: young modern - opening of art institute of chicago’s modern wing
date: fri - may 15 [10pm-2am / rsvp required]
dress code: modern cocktail
location: 111 south michigan avenue [grant park]
dj lineup: tommie sunshine, dark wave disco, deep blue, lo pro

next april the chicago store of barneys new york will move across the street to a six story building and nearly double in size. the new location measures 90,000 sq.ft and will bring the chicago store on a par with the madison avenue flagship, boasting many of the latter’s design features. the additional retail space allows for the addition of a restaurant, personal shopping and concierge services plus a dramatic increase in merchandise assortment. this includes expanded women’s designer collections from lanvin and bottega veneta, a valextra shop and a new shoe salon. location: 15 east oak street [near north side].

design alert! there are two interesting auctions coming up at wright on dec 9 and 11 [at noon on both days]. dubbed important design, some fabulous pieces of furniture and artworks will be sold to the highest bidder. location: 1440 west hubbard street [west loop].

chair by jean prouvé                                                                  yayoi kusama - the configuration of desire

© wright

j-pop anyone? get your fix at csc’s chu*chu*chu super dance party at darkroom on fri - nov 28 from 9pm-2am. dj lineup includes jappie geoff and le sprite. location: 2210 west chicago avenue [wicker park].