Things to Do in Chicago July 10-16: The Mix

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Kelvin Roston Jr. stars as Donny Hathaway in “Twisted Melodies,” a one-man show about the soul music icon known for R&B hits and his duets with Roberta Flack. Songs performed include “More Than You’ll Ever Know, “The Ghetto,” “The Closer I Get to You” and more. Ron OJ Parson directs. From July 10-Aug. 10 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Tickets: $49-$91. Visit northlight.org.
Griffin Theatre presents “Girls & Boys,” Dennis Kelly’s solo show about a woman who meets the man of her dreams and finds happiness and success until their idyllic existence begins to crumble. Cynthia Marker stars; Robin Witt directs. From July 11-Aug. 16 at Bramble Arts Loft, 5545 N. Clark. Tickets: $30-$43. Visit griffintheatre.com.

“True West,” Sam Shepard’s classic tale of sibling rivalry and the American dream, finds two brothers — Austin, a screenwriter busy with a new script, and Lee, a thief living off the grid — in a conflict that goes from tense to savage. Jack Ball and Ben Page star; Jim Corti directs. From July 16-Aug. 31 at Paramount’s Copley Theatre, 8 E. Galena, Aurora. Tickets: $40-$55. Visit paramountaurora.com.
In Ken Ludwig’s “Dear Jack, Dear Louise,” two strangers meet by letter during World War II and a captivating love story begins. Isabelle Muthiah and David Moreland star; Mandy Modic directs. From July 24-Aug. 3 at Metropolis Performing Arts Center, 111 W. Campbell, Arlington Heights. Tickets: $45, $49. Visit metropolisarts.com.

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra begins its 89th summer residency at Ravinia. Under the baton of conductor Marin Alsop, the orchestra performs Carlos Simon’s “Amen,” Rachmaninoff’s “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini” with pianist Bruce Liu, and Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring” (7:30 p.m. July 11). That performance is followed by George Gershwin’s Concerto in F with pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Jessie Montgomery’s “Strum” and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6, the “Pathetique” (7:30 p.m. July 12). At Ravinia, 201 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park. Tickets: $15-$95. Visit ravinia.org.

Grammy Award-winning gospel artist Chandler Moore headlines the Chicago Gospel Music Festival. Filling out the roster are Jekalyn Carr, Deandre Patterson and Janet Sutton with The Chicago Unity Choir, Lil Harry and Chicago Youth United. From noon-9 p.m. July 12 at Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park, Michigan and Randolph. Admission is free. Visit chicagogospelmusicfestival.us.

Chuck Prophet & His Cumbia Players feature two members of the Salinas, California-based cumbia band, ¿Qiensave?, along with Prophet’s longtime band, The Mission Express. The new album, “Wake the Dead” is a departure from Prophet’s Americana-rock leanings and features a dive into cumbia music via genre-defying songs that bridge cultures, generations and musical boundaries. At 7:30 p.m. July 12 at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph. Tickets: $32-$48. Visit citywinery.com/chicago.
The annual Square Roots Festival features performances by Calexico, Ted Leo & the Pharmacists, Mekons, Alejandro Escovedo, The Lone Below, Heartless Bastards, Cedric Burnside, Natalie Bergman and more. From 5-10 p.m. July 11, noon-10 p.m. July 12 and noon-9 p.m. July 13 on Lincoln from Montrose to Wilson. Admission: $10 suggested donation. Visit squareroots.org.

“Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore” is Shoshannah Stern’s documentary about the Morton Grove native who became the first deaf actor to win an Academy Award for her performance in “Children of a Lesser God.” From July 11-17 at Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State. Tickets: $14.50. Visit siskelfilmcenter.org.

“Circus Abyssinia: Ethiopian Dreams” features heart-stopping acrobatics, stunning juggling and death-defying tricks all set to the beats of Ethiopian music and a story that follows two young boys who dream of joining the circus. From July 10-Aug. 3 at Chicago Shakespeare, 800 E. Grand. Tickets: $29-$57. Visit chicagoshakes.com.
“Arthur & Friends Make a Musical” is a new musical adaptation of the children’s books about everyone’s favorite aardvark. Arthur’s class at Lakewood Elementary School has been tasked with performing a show for all of Elwood City. Everyone is thrilled except nervous Arthur. From July 11-Aug. 10 at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire. Tickets: $16.75. Visit marriotttheatre.com.
Sonic Odyssey: A Kids Music Fest features musicians, interactive art installations, a tie-dye station, bounce house, kids’ yoga and more. Performers include Mr. Dave and Nathan Graham, Tunes with Tim, Laura Doherty and Drew Delneky. At 10 a.m. July 12 at FitzGerald’s, 6615 W. Roosevelt, Berwyn. Tickets: $18.48. Visit fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

Barrio Arts Fest celebrates Puerto Rican arts and culture with arts and crafts, traditional food, workshops and live performances including Calma Carmona, Hermes Croatto, Los Pleneros del Callejon, Flaco Navaja, Lester Rey and more. From 11 a.m.-7 p.m. July 12 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. July 13 at National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, 3015 W. Division. Admission is free. Visit nmprac.org.
African/Caribbean International Festival of Life features food, artists, games and crafts. The music lineup includes Elephant Man, Rupee, Doc Payne & the Payne Relief Smooth Blues Band, Jah Vinci, Richie Stephens, Indika and more. From noon-10 p.m. July 11-13 in Washington Park, East 51st Street and South Cottage Grove. Tickets: $20+. Visit internationalfestivaloflife.com.
The Chosen Few Picnic & Music Festival returns for a soulful celebration of house music from the Chosen Few DJs — Wayne Williams, Jesse Saunders, Tony Hatchett, Alan King, Andre Hatchett, Terry Hunter and Mike Dunn — along with guest performers. From 7 a.m.-10 p.m. July 12 at Jackson Park, 6401 S. Stony Island. Tickets: $89.12. Visit chosenfewdjs.com.
Kalapriya Center for Indian Performing Arts’ Summer Mela Festival features South Asian music and dance, cuisine, artisans and craft activities. From noon-8 p.m. July 12 at Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens, 1801 S. Indiana. Admission: $15 suggested donation. Visit kalapriya.org.