THE MIX Praise the music
Cool things to do this weekend
While Millennium Park music festivals are shuttered for the summer, fans can expect some to move online in smaller versions as the Year of Chicago Music continues. Next up at the Millennium Park at Home series is a nod to the Gospel Music Festival. Inspiration 1390’s Sonya Blakey, Marcella Jones and Deandra Patterson host two evenings of streamed music. Among the performers are Keya Trammell, Donishisa Ballard, Tammi Vega, The Tommies Reunion Choir, Rashada Dawan, Lawrence Haynes, LeNasia Tyson and Ms. Anita Wilson. Stream from 6-8 p.m. May 29-30 at facebook.com/millenniumparkchicago.
Story time
Every weekday at 10 a.m., the Chicago Public Library streams Live from the Library, featuring a roster of celebrities reading favorite children’s books followed by a reading by a CPL librarian. Past participants include Barack and Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, actors Bonnie Hunt and Jane Lynch, Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy and Loyola University’s Sister Jean. To stream, go to facebook.com/ chipublib/live
World cinema
Some of the world’s biggest film fests (Tribeca, Sundance, Toronto, Berlin, Venice, Cannes and more) team up for We Are One: A Global Film Festival. Included among the new films and classic fare are feature films, shorts, documentaries, animation and more. The free international festival benefits the World Health Organization and its local relief partners. Streams from May 29-June 7 at youtube. com/weareone.
Making magic
Award-winning magician Dennis Watkins hosts The Magic Parlour
Happy Hour, at 6 p.m. May 28. The free interactive event features his mindblowing sleight of hand and mind reading skills plus guest magician Shawn Farquhar and mixologist Chad Hauge demonstrating a signature cocktail for viewers to make at home. There’s also a Q&A where participants can learn more about Watkins’ family legacy (he’s a third-generation magician) and his life in magic. Streams at facebook.com/ themagicparlour.
Streaming Shakespeare
First Folio Theatre is streaming its Jeff Award-winning production of “Cymbeline: A Folk Tale with Music,” from June 3-14. Directed by Michael Goldberg and adapted from Shakespeare’s romance by David Rice, it features an original bluegrassgospel score performed by cast members. In the timeless story, now set in Civil War Appalachia, a young woman, accused of betraying her lover, must restore her good name and defeat her evil stepmother — all while disguised as a boy. Tickets: $20. Visit firstfolio.org.
Working from home
Artists of all types aren’t just sitting idly at home but instead are creating and honing their skills. The At Home with the Auditorium series presents The People’s Performance, an online compilation of videos showcasing singers, musicians and other artists as they share what they’ve been creating while sheltering in place. Stream at 6 p.m. May 31 at facebook.com/auditorium theatre
Create a play
Children and their production crew (parents) have until May 31 to enter the Play@ Home Contest presented by Chicago Children’s Theatre. Get creative — write a script, find props and costumes around the house and create a video performance for an upcoming festival of plays. Also take an evening stroll and check out CCT’s new window installation at the theater’s home base at 100 S. Racine. The rainbow colored lightshow offers a message — “Everything Will Be Okay.” For rules on the play contest, go to chicagochildrenstheatre.org.
Party time
Throughout May, See Chicago Dance and Chicago Dancers United presented Dance Health Month, free programs making health and wellness a priority. The project concludes with “Get Off the Couch: Dance for Your Health,” a happy hour dance party hosted by Loud Bodies Dance and Bollywood Groove from 5-7 p.m. May 29. To register for the online event, go to seechicagodance.com.