GROUPON GUIDE TO CHICAGO

Chicago Agenda: Thursday, February 13

BY: Tyler Clark | Feb 13, 2014

On today’s agenda: the art of Ghanaian barbershops, the kickoff of Holly Hughes’s Off the Wall Cabaret, and chilly tunes with Weeknight.

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“Sportin’ Waves” Odd Obsession owner Brian Chankin exhibits his collection of hand-painted Ghanaian barbershop signs Brian Chankin, the owner of cult video-rental store Odd Obsession, is best known for his bizarro collection of off-the-wall movies, but he’s no one-trick archivist. His latest show, Sportin’ Waves, displays another of his unexpected passions: hand-painted Ghanaian barbershop signs from the 1990s. In addition to their artistic and cultural implications, the colorful signs might also serve as last-minute style inspirations: the show opens this evening with a reception at avant-garde East Village salon Strange Beauty Show (1118 N. Ashland Ave.). In the spirit of the art, DJs Rad Brian and Impala Sound will also fill the shop with the sounds from their collection of Ghanaian and Nigerian vinyl. (The show runs through Sunday, April 13. Opening reception tonight, 7 p.m.–10 p.m. Admission is free) Off the Wall Cabaret Michigan artists past and present show off their talents at this cabaret curated by performance artist Holly Hughes The write-up for Off the Wall Cabaret describes the show as a “polar vortex of performance,” but that doesn’t mean you’ll wind up frozen to your seat, eating canned goods until help arrives. (At least, we’re pretty sure.) Curated by famed performance artist Holly Hughes, the four-night event at Links Hall (3111 N. Western Ave.) instead brings together artists who began their careers in Michigan to show off what they’ve learned since entering the wide world. The lineup changes every night but always includes a blend of music, storytelling, and performances by headliners Erin Markey and Joseph Keckler. Tonight, they’ll be joined by Chicago storyteller Shannon Cason and choreographer Amy Chavasse, among others. (7 p.m. $5–$20; buy tickets here) Weeknight, Population, Lake Radio Mystery Brooklyn duo brings brooding synths and chilly vibes to an Empty Bottle set sponsored by CHIRP Radio If you like a little mystery with your music, Weeknight might be a band to watch. Made up of a guy-girl duo known only by the names Holly and Andy, the group currently sports the only Bandcamp page I’ve ever seen with no available audio samples. A trip to YouTube brings up “Dark Light,” a single whose menacing guitars and disaffected harmonies match up perfectly with the video’s day-glo skeletons. This is music to skulk by, and it’s coming to the darkest corners of the Empty Bottle (1035 N. Western Ave.) tonight. Also on the bill: local Bauhaus devotees Population and the witch-house dreamweaver of Lake Radio. As with most great shows in Chicago, this one’s sponsored by CHIRP Radio. (8:30 p.m. $8; buy tickets here) Photo courtesy of Strange Beauty Show

BY: Tyler Clark

Guide Staff Writer

Tyler is a writer, storyteller, and musician from Chicago. His stories have appeared on stage at shows including Mortified, Story Club, and Lethal Poetry.