Theater
**** Gay/les/bi/queer/trans content or interest . BB = Black interest. V = Latino/a.
Sept 29: Haitian Trilogy by Useni Eugene Perkins, part of Playwrights Speak eta Readers Thtr Mondays at 7 pm. New plays by novice and veteran playwrights are read before an audience, followed by group discussion between playwright, cast and audience members. Many Mainstage productions have been introduced in this format. You can have a voice in what may become tomorrow's hot new show! eta Creative Arts 7558 S South Chicago Ave (773) 752-3955
Oct 5: Spunk by Zora Neale Hurston, one of the most important African-American writers of the 20th century, brought to life with a guitarist, a blues singer, and an ensemble of four actors in three interwoven stories filled with eccentric characters and examining moments of personal triumph, joy, pain and love. Thru Nov 1. Storefront Thtr, Gallery 37 Ctr for the Arts, 66 E. Randolph St (312) 742- 8497
Theater Ongoing
Mama Said There'll Be Days Like This (The History of the Girl Groups) running in repertory with The Other Cinderella. Thru week of Nov 1. (773) 769-4451 or www.blackensembletheater.org
State of Mississippi and the Face of Emmett Till, The by David Barr and Mamie Till Mobley, the harrowing story of a fourteen year old African American boy from Chicago who was beaten, mutilated and killed after being accused of whistling at a white woman in Mississippi in 1955. Focuses on his mother and her dedication to making sure that his death not go unnoticed and making it a national issue and a springboard for the civil right movement. Thru Oct 19. Pegasus Players O'Rouke Ctr at Truman College, 1145 West Wilson (773) 878-9761
DANCE
DanceAfricaChicago Freedom Poet Stacyann Chin is a featured artist at this year's event and preview events leading up to the mainstage performance. Oct 17-9 Chicago Thtr www.danceafricachicago.com Ticktmstr (312) 902-1500
Joel Hall Dancers benefit Raising the Barre Oct 4 Black Orchid Supper Club, Piper's Alley (773) 293-0900 www.joelhall.org
Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago For its inaugural performance at The Joan W and Irving B. Harris Thtr for Music and Dance, will feature the world premiere of a major new work. In the Bantu language, muntu means the essence of humanity. It's what the company seeks to express in their work and to touch in their audiences. Apr 2 thru 4. Harris Thtr for Music and Dance, 205 E Randolph (312) 629-8696 .
Newberry Library A Journey through French West Africa In connection with a lecture on 1900 thru 1960 French West Africa, Haitian music and dance by Tamboula Ethnic Dance Co, presented by Columbia College's DanceAfrica Oct 1. (312) 255-3510
Art/Photo
DuSable Museum: Photos from 500 year-old West African Palace thru Oct 31. Permanent exhibits DuSable Treasures: Selections from the Permanent Collection of Art, Harold Washington in Office, Fight To Fly: Blacks in Aviation, Africa Speaks African art often proves to be functional in intent and/or use, like stools, chairs, combs, staffs and vessels, carved to articulate particular events or occasions and comprise much of the art of Africa. Ritual masks used in unions with spirit forces or mythical characters, carved figures (many of which function as surrogate spirit-ancestors) and the deity figures. 740 E 56th (773) 947-0600 x272
**** Gerber/ Hart Library, Chicago's LGBT lit and culture historians, present "Picture This..." with art, food, and C.C. Carter with award winning back up group, Lakeside Pride Clarinet Choir, silent auction and community support. Oct 4, High Risk Gallery 1113 W. Belmont,(773) 381-8030
South Side Community Art Ctr What Does Jazz Look Like? thru Oct 11, 3831 S Michigan Ave