THE MIX
Cool things to do this weekend
Manual creations
Over the next month, Manual Cinema, the multimedia theater company, celebrates its 10th anniversary via free streams of four of its seminal shows: “Lula Del Ray” (July 27-Aug. 3), “The End of TV” (Aug. 3-10), “No Blue Memories: The Life of Gwendolyn Brooks” (Aug. 10-17) and “Frankenstein” (Aug. 17-23). The festival culminates in a live Tele-FUN-draiser (8 p.m. Aug. 22), a Covid-relief benefit featuring a variety show and a new 15-minute work created by the ensemble’s co-artistic directors, who also offer introductions to each of the streaming shows. Each week’s show is posted on Monday at noon; donations are appreciated. Live talkbacks with the show’s creators are at 8 p.m. Aug. 1, 8, 15 and 21. For more information, visit manualcinema.com/watch.
RBG’s story Summer-long fun
The Ravinia District in Highland Park is featuring District Doings, a series of events continuing through Aug. 28. The activities include kids art classes and music jam sessions at WeOrbit, musical theater classes at Children’s Theater Company, ukulele classes at Aloha City Ukes, outdoor yoga at Shri Yoga Center, free workouts at Burn Boot Camp, a free jewelry-making event at Dana Reed Designs and a kids dance party at Soul 2 Sole Dance. There’s also free live music including Handsome Man’s Gentlemen’s Club (6 p.m. July 25) and Anderlik, Otto & Church (3 p.m. July 26). Food from local restaurants (Abigail’s American Bistro, Baker Boys, Piero’s Pizza and more) can be purchased and enjoyed in the Ravinia District Al Fresco Dining Area.
District Doings takes place along Roger Williams Avenue between Burton and Pleasant. For more information including class fees and a live music schedule, visit facebook. com/raviniadistrict.highlandpark
Legendary ladies
When The Baton Show Lounge relocated from River North to Uptown in 2019, it added a welcome dash of sass to the neighborhood. Now its legendary shows have been extended to a patio where female impersonators are performing on an outdoor stage. The Baton’s patio is open 4:30-11 p.m. Monday-Friday and noon-11 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday. Baton indoor shows also restarted when the city went to Phase 4 of the reopening plan; shows are at 8 and 9:30 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. Reservations are recommended. The Baton, 4713 N. Broadway. Visit thebaton showlounge.com.
American music
Cabaret performer Ann
Hampton Callaway, one of the leading champions of the Great American Songbook, has launched a streaming performance series, “The Callaway Hideaway,” taking place the last Sunday of the month. The first concert, “Diva Power!,” features Callaway celebrating songs made famous by legendary women including Barbra Streisand, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Peggy Lee, Edith Piaf, Etta James and more. The performance streams at 4 p.m. July 26. Tickets: $20. Visit annhamptoncallaway.com.
Blake & Gwen & Trace
After the success of Garth Brooks’ drive-in movie concert, there was sure to be another. Cue country music star and “The Voice” judge Blake Shelton, who now joins in this pandemic trend accompanied by his gal pal, singer Gwen Stefani, and fellow country performer Trace Adkins. Event organizer Encore Live says these “all-new performances will be filmed exclusively for each one-night-only event and include cinematic interviews and storytelling.” The concert is screened at 9 p.m. July 25. Locations include the Chicago Drive-In Theater in Hoffman Estates; the Chicago Drive-In Theater in Bridgeview; the Elgin Cinema in Elgin; the McHenry Outdoor Theater in McHenry, the Harvest Moon Drive-In in Gibson City, and the Route 66 Drive-In in Springfield. Tickets are $114.99, and each admits one passenger car, truck or SUV with up to six people. Visit ticketmaster.com/encore-blakeshelton.