THE MIX
Cool things to do this weekend
Art in the city
In the exhibit “Artists Run Chicago 2.0,” the Hyde Park Art Center celebrates the work of 50 artist-run spaces and organizations that fuel Chicago’s independent art scene. Marking the 10th anniversary of the original “Artists Run Chicago” exhibit, it examines how artist-run galleries have continued to transform storefronts, apartments and warehouses into spaces where art can be experienced. The free exhibit continues through Nov. 1 at Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell. For reservations and gallery hours, visit hydeparkart.org.
Spanning the globe
Each Sunday in September, World Music Festival Chicago returns in virtual form with a series of free concerts featuring artists from around the world. Highlights include “Ragmala: A Celebration of Indian Classical Music” (Sept. 6); “Afro-Diaspora Folklore” with Bombazo con Buya, Los Pleneros de Don
Segundo and more (Sept. 13); the Irish supergroup Anam Mor with Jackie Moran, Laurence Nugent, Brendan Bulger and Jesse Langen (Sept. 20), and the Chicago Immigrant Orchestra co-conducted by Fareed Haque and Wanees Zarour (Sept. 27). The stream is available each Sunday from 1-3 p.m. For more information, visit worldmusicfestivalchicago.org.
Perusing the classic
Court Theatre artistic director Charles Newell hopes the Hyde Park theater will be able to return to live stagings in February. In the meantime, the theater will offer the Theatre & Thought Series: monthlong digital programs throughout the fall/winter, which feature University of Chicago faculty discussing the historical context, themes and artistic possibilities surrounding classic works. First up is “The World of August Wilson + The Black Creative Voice” (at 7 p.m. Mondays in September) with English professor Kenneth Warren in conversation with resident artist Ron OJ Parson, a leading interpreter of Wilson’s work. (Parson is scheduled to direct Wilson’s “Two Trains Running” in the spring.) Other playwrights in the series are Euripides (October), Caryl
Churchill (November/December) and Lorraine Hansberry (January). Also a deep dive into Tom Stoppard’s “Leopoldstadt” is scheduled for October and November. Tickets are $85 per series; $250 for Stoppard series. For more information, visit courttheatre.org.
Lakeshore rap
For his first performance in nearly a year, rapperactivist Vic Mensa uses Lake Michigan as a backdrop for a performance at the newly created Lakeshore Drive-In. Mensa recently released “V Tape,” a seven-track mixtape that touches on his battles with depression and personal growth. It features collaborations with BJ the Chicago Kid, Peter CottonTale, SAINt JHN and Eryn Allen Kane among others. Mensa performs at 7 p.m. Sept. 5 in the Adler Planetarium parking lot, 1362 S. Linn White Dr. Tickets: $25-$230 per car, up to four people (addon tickets available for one or two additional people). Visit universe.com.
Iconic Latin pop
The National Museum of Mexican Art celebrates the legacy of the late Mexican singer and songwriter Juan Gabriel at a tribute concert — “El Noa Noa: JuanGa Canta.” Known for his dramatic performance style, he defined romantic Latin pop and remains a pop icon to his legion of fans. Jose Manuel Duarte, Jose Alfredo, Jesus Ramos and Tessa Lopez will perform classic Gabriel songs. Dance and sing along when the concert streams from 8-10 p.m. Sept. 4. Tickets: $10-$50. Visit nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org.